Lighting fixture extension

ABSTRACT

A lighting assembly includes an airflow chamber having a first and second ends and a side wall separating the first and second ends. The side wall: has a dimension exceeding a maximum opening dimension of a standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess that limits a dimension of objects insertable within the recess; at least partially defines a first opening in fluid communication with an outside environment; at least partially defines a second opening, the second opening being downstream to the first opening and in fluid communication with the outside environment; and includes an inner surface at least partially defining an airflow channel. A light-bulb assembly is coupled to the airflow chamber and includes at least one light emitting source thermally coupled and at least partially placed within the airflow channel, the light emitting source having an electrical contact portion disposed for attachment to an electrical source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This Non-provisional Utility application is a Divisional application ofco-pending U.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/701,127,filed on Apr. 30, 2015, which is a Continuation-in-part application ofU.S. Non-provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/820,695, filed onMar. 4, 2013, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,052,417, which is a 371National Stage Entry of International PCT Application No.PCT/US2012/32660, filed Apr. 7, 2012, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/473,576, filed Apr. 8, 2011 andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/553,011, filed Oct. 28, 2011,the entireties of which are incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to lighting assemblies, and moreparticularly relates to an LED lighting assembly that has an airflowchamber that is self-cooling, without the use of a fan.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighting structures vary widely and accordingly with the applications inwhich they are utilized. In residential situations, for example, regularlow-power lighting is sufficient to light the target area. In othersituations, however, such as television studios, high-powered industriallighting structures are needed. In these studio-type situations,high-powered lighting is utilized to project light onto the subjectbeing filmed or photographed. By providing enhanced lighting, i.e.,bright light, the camera is able to focus and clearly depict the subjectmatter.

Traditionally, brighter lighting means higher-power bulbs, higher energyconsumption, and a corresponding increase in heat produced by the light.In fact, in many commercial studio lighting structures, a person cannotsafely stand within 3 feet of the light without experiencing a physicaldiscomfort or actual harm from the heat being radiated from the device.Fortunately, at least in film or photography studios, many of theselights are attached to the ceiling, placing them out of reach from mostpeople. However, the increased heat being radiated into the atmospheremust be compensated for by cooling the building or room in which thelighting structure is being used. Therefore, these high-power bulbs arenot only are dangerous and expensive to purchase, but end up greatlyincreasing operating costs in both energy consumption of the lights andin cooling costs for the area. Also, in applications where the lightingstructures cannot be placed out of contact from people, such ason-location shoots, the intensely-hot lights provide a constant safetyconcern.

One application that particularly suffers from the shortcomings of theprior art is the surgical environment. In an operating room, thetemperature should remain cool to prevent disease and bacteria fromspreading. At the same time, bright lights are needed to light thesurgery area. Prior-art bright lights produce heat and are often locatedin close proximity to the surgeon's head, causing him or her to sweatand/or be uncomfortable. The heat also raises the temperature in theoperating room.

Recently, light emitting diode (LED) structures have begun appearing inmyriad applications. This is partly because LED lights use dramaticallyless power than traditional bulbs and, as a result, also produce verylittle heat. In addition, the lifespan of an LED bulb greatly exceedsthat most known prior-art light bulbs. For these reasons, it is becomingclear that LEDs will soon be a viable option for completely replacingmost bulbs as lighting elements within the home and elsewhere.

Several entities have experimented with utilizing LEDs in studiolighting structures. Because LEDs do not produce the output of standardlight bulbs, in particular, the high-powered studio lights, multipleLEDs, organized in arrays, are utilized to replace each bulb. Oneexample of such a light 100 is shown in FIG. 1, which includes an array101 of individual LED light sources 102 a-n (where a-n represents anynumber range from 1 to infinity) broadcasting light rays 104 a-n in thedirection of a subject 106 being lit. Unfortunately, the light rays 104a-n produced by each LED in the array 101 hit the subject 106 at aunique angle, which produces a multitude of shadows with varyingintensities on the background 108. More specifically, the light fromsome of the light sources 102 a-n in the array 101 reach the backgroundand are additive, thereby producing a first shadow intensity level 110.This first intensity level 110 is also dependent on the proximitybetween the radiating light source 102 and the background 108. On otherportions of the background 108 a different number of the light sources102 a-n in the array 101 reach the background and produce a secondshadow intensity level 112, which is different from the first shadowintensity level 110. FIG. 1 provides only a two-dimensional depiction ofthis multi-shadow effect. With a three-dimensional subject, thedifferences in shadow intensities are greatly enhanced. The adjacentmultiple shadows are not only unattractive, but are sometimes rathereerie looking. For at least this reason, LED light arrays have not beenwell received in a studio lighting situation.

Although LEDs generate less heat than typical traditional light bulbs,they, nevertheless, do generate heat. Currently-known LED studiolighting structures require the presence of one or more fans thatconstantly run and pull air from the environment into the lightingstructure and across a set of heat dissipating heat-sink fins. Thesefans require energy, add weight and cost to the lighting device, providea point of potential electrical failure (which can serious damage theremaining components that will become too hot), and create noise.

LED lighting devices and systems have come into widespread use in homesand buildings. Known LED structures for regular ambient lightingcurrently dissipate heat by exposing one or more portions of the LEDstructure to atmospheric conditions. Some known LED lighting assembliesalso expose portions, e.g., the power supply 120 and/ordriver/controller circuit 118, if applicable, to the atmosphere as thoseportions of LEDs also generate heat. In addition, a limited number ofLED lighting assemblies have one or more heat sinks 116 attached theretoto facilitate the dissipation of heat through convection. However theform, and although having a generally longer life than traditionalbulbs, these known LEDs, when ran for normal periods of time, experiencea drastic reduction in bulb intensity.

This is specifically applicable when LED lighting assemblies areobstructed or placed in enclosed spaces where hot air is not easilyexchanged with cooler air. One example of this is LED lightingstructures placed within a recessed lighting “can.” When an LED light isplaced within small or enclosed areas, the space surrounding the LEDbulbs is not cooled and much of the generated heat from the bulbsremains in that area. This effect is shown in FIG. 2, which illustratesa prior-art LED lighting assembly 200 within a recessed portion 204 of aceiling 202. The hot air, represented with arrows 206, is noteffectively dissipated and continually subjects the assembly 200 to airat high temperatures. As the LED assembly 200 is continually subjectedto high temperatures, the lifespan of the assembly 200 is reduced andthe probability of heat-related malfunctions is increased. This alsorenders any heat sinks 208 coupled to those prior-art assemblies 200 tobe ineffective and inefficient as they still suffer from the sameproblems as described above, i.e. the LED assembly 200 is stillsubjected to previously dissipated heat.

Furthermore, as LED lighting technology is still being developed or hasincreased manufacturing costs, when compared to those prior-art lightingassemblies, those costs are generally placed on the consumer. As such,LED lighting assemblies can range anywhere from three to ten times moreper unit price than for traditional lighting assemblies, such asincandescent light bulbs. Many users dilute those additional initialup-front costs with the continued energy savings associated with LEDs.Therefore, most users desire to maintain the LED lighting assemblylifespan as long as possible to maximize cost efficiency.

In addition, recessed lighting cans within ceilings, particularly inresidential settings, include varying dimensions. More particularly,such cans have varying depths between the height of the socket for thebulb and the level of the ceiling. Lighting fixtures currently providedhave various distances between the sockets, which accept the bulbs andthe ceiling heights. This makes little or no difference if a bulb isinserted. However, if there is a retrofit or new light which is appliedand which needs to be flush or partially flush with the ceiling, fixedlength shafts between the fixed socket and the lighting appliance areinconvenient. Therefore, for lighting fixtures that are intended to hangrelative to the cans at a desired position relative to the ceiling,users must select a lighting fixture with a desired length, which cannotbe selectively varied to accommodate differently dimensioned recessedlighting cans.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides an LED array lighting assembly that overcomes thehereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices andmethods of this general type and that provides an array of LED lightsources that are coupled to a light-emitting lens through a plurality oflight guides, where the light-emitting lens blends the light from eachof the individual light guides and transmits a blended light product.Furthermore, the novel lighting assembly provides a light-generationsource that is disposed in a central or rear section of the overalllighting assembly and guided to a light-emitting lens through one ormore light guides. The light assembly further provides one embodimentwhere the heat generated from the LED light source is effectively andefficiently dissipated. The generated heat is removed by a constantstream of cool air that is driven through the device by a novelheat-dissipating air engine created by a novel structure as describedherein.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, inaccordance with the invention, a lighting assembly that includes aplurality of LED light sources and a light-guide assembly featuring aplurality of light guides, each light guide having a proximal endterminating in a recess and a distal end opposite the proximal end. Thelight-guide assembly further includes mating cap coupled to the proximalend of the plurality of light guides and that aligns each recess with acorresponding LED light source in the plurality of LED light sources. Alight-emitting lens has a receiving surface coupled to the distal end ofeach of the plurality of light guides and able to transfer light emittedfrom the distal end of each of the plurality of light guides into thelight-emitting lens and a curved light-emitting surface opposite thereceiving surface, the light-emitting surface able to emit light fromwithin the light-emitting lens, the light within the light emitting lensbeing a blend of light emitted from least two of the plurality of lightguides.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thelight-guide assembly further includes a physical arrangement of thedistal ends of the plurality of light guides, where a spacing betweeneach of the distal ends of the plurality of light guides is less than aspacing between each of the proximal ends of the plurality of lightguides.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a length separating the proximal end of the of lightguides from the distal end of the of light guides and at least onecurvature along the length.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, alight-source controller is electrically coupled to and operable toenergize selective ones of the plurality of LED light sources.

In accordance with a yet one more feature of the present invention, thelight-source controller is at least partially disposed between theproximal end of the plurality of light guides and the distal end of theplurality of light guides.

In accordance with an additional feature of the present invention, theplurality of light guides further includes a length separating theproximal end from the distal end and the midsection or length passesthrough at least a portion of the light-source controller.

In accordance with a yet one more feature of the present invention, themating cap includes a curved mating surface placing a central axis of atleast two of the recesses at angles that differ from each other and acurved mating surface places a central axis of at least two of therecesses at angles that differ from each other.

In accordance with another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention also includes a light-guide assembly and a light-sourceassembly, the light-source assembly including a plurality of LED lightsources disposed in a light-emitting arrangement. The light-guideassembly has a light-receiving portion forming a plurality of LEDlight-receiving recesses, each disposed to correspond to a one of theplurality of LED light sources in the light-emitting arrangement. Alight-emitting portion is shaped to broadcast light rays in one or moredirections away from the LED light sources. A light-channeling portionincluding a plurality of light-communication channels, eachlight-communication channel coupling a one of the plurality of LEDlight-receiving recesses to the light-emitting portion, wherein thelight-emitting portion is further shaped to combine light emitted fromat least two of the light-communication channels prior to broadcasting.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes an overall dimension of the light-emittingarrangement that exceeds an overall dimension of the light-channelingportions coupled at the light-emitting portion.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, theplurality of light-communication channels further includes at least onecurvature between the LED light-receiving recesses and thelight-emitting portion.

In accordance with one more feature of the present invention, alight-source controller is electrically coupled to and operable toenergize selective ones of the plurality of LED light sources and thelight-source controller is at least partially disposed between the LEDlight-receiving recesses and the light-emitting portion where theplurality of light-communication channels have a portion that passesthrough at least a portion of the light-source controller.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, alighting fixture extension adapter is provided with a telescopingassembly having a first end with a male attachment member disposedthereon and a second end, opposite the first end, the second end with afemale attachment member disposed thereon. The male attachment member isoperably configured to matingly engage a standard light-bulb socket andthe female attachment member is operably configured to matingly engage asecond male attachment member disposed on a lighting fixture.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, thetelescoping assembly is a non-circle telescoping assembly.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, thelighting fixture includes a light-source operable to emit light; and asidewall having a dimension exceeding a maximum opening dimension of alight bulb recess, the light bulb recess defined by a ceiling and havinga standard light-bulb socket disposed therein and the maximum openingdimension limiting a dimension of objects insertable within the lightbulb recess.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thenon-circle telescoping assembly includes a cross section shaped as atleast one of a polygon and an oval.

In accordance with yet a further feature of the present invention, thetelescoping assembly is operably configured to electrically couple alighting fixture to the standard light-bulb socket along a selectivelyadjustable distance. The standard light-bulb socket is selectivelycouplable to the first end of the telescoping assembly and the lightingfixture is selectively couplable to the second end.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, thetelescoping assembly includes an inner telescoping member and an outertelescoping member, the outer telescoping member dimensioned to receiveat least a portion of the inner telescoping member.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the maleattachment members include male threads that are configured to beinserted into the standard light-bulb socket, the standard light-bulbsocket having mating female threads.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, thetelescoping assembly includes an inner telescoping member and an outertelescoping member. At least one of the inner and outer telescopingmembers prevents rotation of the other one of the inner and outertelescoping members.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, atelescoping assembly is provided that includes a plurality oftelescoping members, the plurality of telescoping members including atleast a light-bulb socket engaging telescoping member, an intermediatetelescoping member, and an outer telescoping member. The light-bulbsocket engaging telescoping member has a first projecting portionconfigured for insertion within a first L-shaped aperture defined by theintermediate telescoping member and the intermediate telescoping memberhas a second projecting portion configured for insertion within a secondL-shaped aperture defined by the outer telescoping member.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, thetelescoping assembly further includes a spring operably configured totranslate at least one of the plurality of telescoping members relativeto another one of the plurality of telescoping members in a compressiondirection and an extension direction, opposite the compressiondirection.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, thespring is operably configured to bias the outer telescoping member andthe intermediate telescoping member in the compression direction towardthe light-bulb socket engaging telescoping member.

In accordance with another embodiment, the present invention includes alighting assembly having a light fixture including a light-sourceoperable to emit light; and a telescoping assembly having a first endwith a male attachment member disposed thereon and a second end,opposite the first end. The second end with the light fixture disposedthereon and the male attachment member are operably configured tomatingly engage a standard light-bulb socket.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, thelighting fixture further includes a sidewall having a dimensionexceeding a maximum opening dimension of a light bulb recess. The lightbulb recess is defined by a ceiling and has a standard light-bulb socketdisposed therein and the maximum opening dimension limits a dimension ofobjects insertable within the light bulb recess.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, thelighting fixture further includes a light-source-supporting substratewithin the sidewall and having a front surface and a back surface anddefining an aperture between the front surface and the back surface. Thelighting fixture also includes a heat-dissipating engine coupled to theback surface of the substrate and in fluid communication with theaperture, the heat-dissipating engine defining an air-flow channel fromthe aperture, across a portion of the light-source, and out of anexhaust port in the sidewall higher in altitude than the aperture. Theheating dissipating engine drives a substantially continuous flow of airfrom the aperture, across the portion of the light-source, and out ofthe exhaust port, without the use of a fan. The light-source issupported by the substrate, adjacent the aperture, and operable to emitlight from the front surface of the substrate. The light-source isdimensioned to fit within the light bulb recess and is couplable to thestandard light-bulb socket.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, at leastone of the inner and outer telescoping members have a plurality ofapertures spaced apart from one another and aligned along a longitudinaldirection of the telescoping assembly. The plurality of apertures aresized to receive a locking member operably configured to secure theouter telescoping member relative to the inner telescoping member in auser-selected position along the longitudinal direction of thetelescoping assembly.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, each of the inner and outertelescoping members include a plurality of mating coupling membersformed as resilient teeth-like members, the plurality of mating couplingmembers aligned along a longitudinal direction of the telescopingassembly and operably configured to secure the outer telescoping memberrelative to the inner telescoping member in a user-selected positionalong the longitudinal direction of the telescoping assembly.

In accordance with a further feature of the present invention, thetelescoping assembly includes a plurality of telescoping members, theplurality of telescoping members including at least a light-bulb socketengaging telescoping member, an intermediate telescoping member, and anouter telescoping member. The light-bulb socket engaging telescopingmember has a first projecting portion configured for insertion within afirst L-shaped aperture defined by the intermediate telescoping memberand the intermediate telescoping member has a second projecting portionconfigured for insertion within a second L-shaped aperture defined bythe outer telescoping member.

In accordance with yet a further feature of the present invention, thelighting assembly further includes an airflow chamber shaped to be incontact with a ceiling and having a sidewall. The sidewall includes anupper end dimension that exceeds the largest dimension of astandard-sized light bulb recess in a ceiling; defines at least oneproximal opening; and defines at least one distal opening in fluidcommunication with the proximal opening, wherein heat created by thelight assembly drives a substantially continuous flow of air from theproximal opening, across a portion of the light assembly, and out of thedistal opening without the use of a fan. The light assembly isdimensioned and shaped not to completely fit within the standard-sizedlight bulb recess in the ceiling, the standard-sized light bulb recessbeing of a size and shape to receive substantially all of astandard-sized light bulb therein.

In accordance with another feature of the present invention, aself-cooled lighting assembly includes an airflow chamber having a firstend and a second end opposite the first end; and having a side wallseparating the first and second ends, the side wall: having a dimensionexceeding a maximum opening dimension of a standard-sized light bulbceiling recess, the maximum opening dimension limiting a dimension ofobjects insertable within the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess;at least partially defining a first opening in fluid communication withan outside environment; at least partially defining a second opening,the second opening being downstream to the first opening and in fluidcommunication with the outside environment; and including an innersurface at least partially defining an airflow channel; and a light-bulbassembly coupled to the airflow chamber, the light-bulb assemblyincluding at least one light emitting source thermally coupled and atleast partially placed within the airflow channel, the at least onelight emitting source having an electrical contact portion disposed forattachment to an electrical source.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention further includes a light-source power receiving portiondimensioned to fit within the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recessand couplable to a standard light-bulb outlet disposed therein; and theside wall is disposed to be in contact with a ceiling when thelight-source power receiving portion is coupled to the standardlight-bulb outlet such that the first and second openings at leastpartially defined by the side wall are disposed beneath the ceiling soas to allow air to exit the airflow chamber beneath the ceiling.

In accordance with yet a further feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention further includes a heat-dissipating engine at least partiallydefined by the airflow channel and driving a substantially continuousflow of air from the outside environment through the first opening atleast partially defined by the sidewall, subsequently across the lightemitting source, and out of the second opening at least partiallydefined by the sidewall to the outside environment.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, thelight emitting source is disposed within a cavity at least partiallydefined by the first end, the second end, and the sidewall separatingthe first and second ends.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, aflush mounted self-cooled ceiling lighting assembly includes a lightassembly dimensioned and shaped not to completely fit within astandard-sized light bulb recess in a ceiling, the standard-sized lightbulb recess being of a size and shape to receive substantially all of astandard-sized light bulb therein, the light assembly having alight-emitting face and an electrical contact portion; and an airflowchamber shaped to be in contact with a ceiling and having a side wall:with an upper end dimension that exceeds the largest dimension of thestandard sized light bulb recess in the ceiling; defining at least oneproximal opening; and defining at least one distal opening in fluidcommunication with the proximal opening, wherein heat created by thelight assembly drives a substantially continuous flow of air from theproximal opening, across a portion of the light assembly, and out of theat least one distal opening without the use of a fan, the at least onedistal opening adapted to be disposed beneath the ceiling when the sidewall is in contact with the ceiling and the light assembly is coupled toa light-bulb outlet disposed within the standard-sized light bulbrecess.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a lower end that defines an aperture for passinglight emitted from the light source.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, theairflow chamber further includes a light-bulb electrical receptacleshaped to receive the electrical contact portion of the light assembly;and a contact portion electrically couplable with a standard light-bulboutlet.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention further includes a shaft separating the light-bulb electricalreceptacle from the contact portion.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, thedistal opening is aligned to emit the substantially continuous flow ofair from the proximal opening away from the recess in the ceiling.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, theexhaust port in the sidewall is located outside of the light bulb recessand directs air away from the light bulb recess.

In accordance with yet another feature, an embodiment of the presentinvention includes a self-cooled lighting assembly with a ceiling with astandard-sized light bulb recess therein, the light bulb recess having astandard light-bulb outlet therein and a maximum opening dimensionlimiting the dimension of objects insertable within the light bulbrecess; and a light fixture including a light-source power receivingportion dimensioned to fit within a light bulb recess and couplable to astandard light-bulb outlet; and a sidewall having a dimension exceedingthe maximum opening dimension of the light bulb recess and defining atleast one aperture; and a heat-dissipating engine defining an air-flowchannel from the aperture, across a portion of the light-source, and outof an exhaust port in the sidewall higher in altitude than the at leastone aperture, the heat-dissipating engine driving a substantiallycontinuous flow of air from the at least one aperture, across a portionof the light-source, and out of the exhaust port without the use of afan, the exhaust port adapted to be disposed beneath the ceiling whenthe sidewall is in contact with the ceiling and the light-source powerreceiving portion is coupled to the standard light-bulb.

In accordance with yet another feature of the present invention, thelight fixture further includes a light-source-supporting substratewithin the sidewall and having a front surface and a back surface anddefining an aperture between the front surface and the back surface; alight-source supported by the substrate, adjacent the aperture, andoperable to emit light from the front surface of the substrate; and theheat-dissipating engine is coupled to the back surface of the substrateand in fluid communication with the aperture.

Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodiedin an LED lighting assembly, it is, nevertheless, not intended to belimited to the details shown because various modifications andstructural changes may be made therein without departing from the spiritof the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of theclaims. Additionally, well-known elements of exemplary embodiments ofthe invention will not be described in detail or will be omitted so asnot to obscure the relevant details of the invention.

Other features that are considered as characteristic for the inventionare set forth in the appended claims. As required, detailed embodimentsof the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to beunderstood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of theinvention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specificstructural and functional details disclosed herein are not to beinterpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as arepresentative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art tovariously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandabledescription of the invention. While the specification concludes withclaims defining the features of the invention that are regarded asnovel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood froma consideration of the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to beunderstood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescribing particular embodiments only and is not intended to belimiting. The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one ormore than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as twoor more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as atleast a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as usedherein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term“coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although notnecessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

As used herein, the terms “about” or “approximately” apply to allnumeric values, whether or not explicitly indicated. These termsgenerally refer to a range of numbers that one of skill in the art wouldconsider equivalent to the recited values (i.e., having the samefunction or result). In many instances these terms may include numbersthat are rounded to the nearest significant figure. In this document,the term “longitudinal” should be understood to mean in a directioncorresponding to an elongated direction of the structure being referredto. The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as usedherein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for executionon a computer system. A “program,” “computer program,” or “softwareapplication” may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, anobject method, an object implementation, an executable application, anapplet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a sharedlibrary/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructionsdesigned for execution on a computer system. The term “downstream,” asused herein indicates a location along a path of flow that is furtherdown the path of flow and occurs after a reference point in that path offlow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a downward-looking elevational view of a prior-art lightingfixture broadcasting light on a subject as well as the background behindthe subject;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a prior-art LED light assemblyrecessed within a wall ceiling;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational, partially cross-sectional, view of alighting-assembly featuring a light-guide assembly aligned with anadjacent light-source assembly in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational, partially cross-sectional, view, of thelight-guide assembly of FIG. 3 mated with the light-source assembly ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the light-source assembly of FIG. 3illustrating an exemplary arrangement of light sources in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the light-source assembly of FIG. 3illustrating an exemplary arrangement of red light sources in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the light-source assembly of FIG. 3illustrating an exemplary arrangement of green light sources inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the light-source assembly of FIG. 3illustrating an exemplary arrangement of blue light sources inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the light-source assembly of FIG. 3illustrating an exemplary arrangement of amber (yellow) light sources inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the light-source assembly of FIG. 3illustrating an exemplary arrangement of warm white light sources inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the light-source assembly of FIG. 3illustrating an exemplary arrangement of cool white light sources inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a light-source assembly featuringalignment posts in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a side elevational partial view of a lighting-assemblyfeaturing a light-guide assembly aligned with a light-source assemblythrough use of the alignment posts of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side elevational partial view of a lighting-assemblyfeaturing a light-guide assembly that includes a lens body disposedbetween the lens and the light guides in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of alighting-assembly where a light-source assembly is located in a proximalportion of the lighting-assembly, a lens is located in a distal portionof the lighting-assembly, and a driver/controller circuit is disposedbetween the light-source assembly and the lens in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a side elevational partial view of a lighting-assemblyfeaturing a light-guide assembly aligned with an adjacent light-sourceassembly, where the support surface of the light-source assemblyfeatures a curvature and the mating cap of the light-guide assemblyfeatures a corresponding curvature in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 17 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, partial view of alighting-assembly featuring an inverted light-source assembly with alight-transmitting aperture positioned above a parabolic mirror inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a schematic view of a driver/controller circuitcommunicatively coupled to a user interface of a lighting-assembly inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a side elevational partial view of a lighting-assemblyfeaturing a light-guide assembly with straight light guides aligned withan adjacent light-source assembly in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 20 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, partial view of alight-source assembly of a proximal portion of the lighting-assembly iscoupled to a heat sink surrounded by a LED light casing in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a perspective, cross-sectional, view of a lighting-assemblycontained within a LED light casing in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective, partially hidden, view of a hexagon-shapedlight-assembly housing with air vents in a bottom surface and a topsurface, the air vents collectively pulling and pushing, respectively,air through the light-assembly housing in accordance with an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooledlighting assembly with a light-bulb assembly placed at least partiallywithin an airflow channel defined by an airflow chamber in accordancewith one exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooledlighting assembly with two light-bulb assemblies placed at leastpartially within an airflow channel defined by an airflow chamber inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooledlighting assembly coupled to a standard-sized light bulb outlet with alight-bulb assembly subjected to a stream of air entering a firstopening and exiting a second opening in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 26 is a downwardly-looking perspective, partially cross-sectional,view of the self-cooled lighting assembly of FIG. 25 in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a downward-looking perspective view of the self-cooledlighting assembly of FIG. 25 with a portion of the airflow chambercovering portions of the first opening in accordance with anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a top plan view of the self-cooled lighting assembly of FIG.27 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a bottom plan view of the self-cooled lighting assembly ofFIG. 27 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooledlighting assembly in operation that is coupled to a standard-sized lightbulb outlet, with a light-bulb assembly that is removably-couplable toairflow chamber and a stream of air entering a plurality of firstopenings and exiting a plurality of second openings a height above thefirst openings in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 31 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooledlighting assembly in operation that is coupled to a standard-sized lightbulb outlet, with the assembly being adjustable in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooledlighting assembly in operation that is coupled to a standard-sized lightbulb outlet, with the assembly being adjustable in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a side elevational, cross-sectional, view of a self-cooledlighting assembly in operation with individualized airflow chambersinducing a stream of airflow across multiple light bulb assemblies whenthe assembly is in operation in accordance with an exemplary embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 34 is an upwardly-looking perspective partial view of the lightingassembly of FIG. 33 when coupled to the ceiling of a building inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a perspective, partially cross-sectional, view of theindividualized airflow chamber coupled to a portion of the light bulbassembly shown in FIG. 33;

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of a lighting assembly having atelescoping assembly with a square-shaped cross section in accordancewith the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of another exemplary lighting assemblyhaving a telescoping assembly with an oval-shaped cross section inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a front, elevational view of a further exemplary lightingassembly having a ratchet-type telescoping assembly in accordance withthe present invention;

FIG. 39 is a bottom perspective view of another exemplary lightingassembly having a telescoping extension adapter that is selectivelycouplable to a lighting fixture on one end and a light-bulb socket onthe other end in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 40 is an exploded perspective view of a spring-based telescopingextension adapter in an unassembled configuration in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of the spring-based telescoping extensionadapter in an assembled configuration in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 42 is a front elevational view of a spring-biased telescopinglighting assembly being installed within a ceiling can in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIG. 43 is a front elevational view of the spring-biased telescopinglighting assembly of FIG. 42 installed within the ceiling can inaccordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thefollowing description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood thatthe disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, whichcan be embodied in various forms.

The present invention provides a novel and efficient lighting assemblyfor use in studios and other applications. Embodiments of the inventionprovide an array of LED light sources that are coupled to alight-emitting lens through a plurality of light guides, where thelight-emitting lens blends the light from each of the individual lightguides and transmits a blended light product. In addition, embodimentsof the invention provide a light-generation source that is disposed in acentral or rear section of the overall lighting assembly and guided to alight-emitting lens through one or more light guides. Furthermore,embodiments of the invention provide a parabolic reflector that receivesand directs light generated by an array of LED light sources within alighting assembly.

Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a lighting assembly inaccordance with the present invention is shown in an elevational partialview. FIG. 3 shows several advantageous features of the presentinvention, but, as will be described below, the invention can beprovided in several shapes, sizes, combinations of features andcomponents, and varying numbers and functions of the components. Thefirst example of a lighting assembly 300, as shown in FIG. 3, includes alight-source assembly 301 which includes a plurality of LED lightsources 302 a-n. As used herein, the nomenclature “a-n” is intended torepresent a numerical range starting from any number “a” and spanning toany number “n” that is greater than the number “a.” LED lights are wellknown in the art. The specific details of LED construction are deemednot necessary for the instant discussion and will, therefore, not bedescribed herein.

The lighting assembly 300 further includes a light-guide assembly 304that features a plurality of light-communication channels formed fromlight guides 306 a-n. Light guides are known in the art and are alsoreferred to as “optical waveguides,” “light pipes,” “optical fibers,” orother similar terms. The present invention is not restricted to anyparticular technology or physicality and contemplates utilization of anyconnecting element that is capable of communicating light waves from oneend of the transmitting element to the other. For example, the lightguides 306 a-n, in accordance with one embodiment of the presentinvention, are optical fibers with a cylindrical dielectric waveguide(nonconducting waveguide) that transmits light along its axis, by theprocess of total internal reflection. The light guides 306 a-n mayinclude a core surrounded by a cladding layer, both of which are made ofdielectric materials. To confine the optical signal in the core, therefractive index of the core is selected to be much greater than that ofthe cladding. The boundary between the core and cladding may either beabrupt, in step-index fiber, or gradual, in graded-index fiber andserves to contain the light waves within the core. As shown in FIG. 3,the light guides 306 a-n fully extend to mate with a portion of thelight sources 302 a-n.

Each light guide 306 a-n will be described with reference to itslight-receiving proximal end 308 and its light-emitting distal end 312opposite the proximal end 308, both of which are illustrated in FIG. 3.The proximal end 308 of each light guide 306 a-n terminates in an LEDlight-receiving recess 310 a-n. More specifically, in one embodiment,each light guide 306 a-n may have cores of transparent material withineach recess 310 a-n. FIG. 3 also illustrates a cross-section of lightguide 306 b with an aperture 313 formed in a bottom area shaped toreceive the end portion of the light source 302 b. The light guide mayhave transparent cores that may be formed in the proximal end 308 of thelight guides 306 a-n. In other embodiments, as shown in FIG. 19, thecores 1900 a-n are removably-couplable to the recesses 310 a-n withmale-female inserts. With the cores 1900 a-n being removably-couplable,the cores 1900 a-n may have various-sized apertures 313 to be sized toreceive various-sized light sources 302 a-n. In further embodiments, thelight guide 306 a-n may not have cores such that the recesses 310 a-nwould directly couple with the end of the light sources 302 a-n and thelight guides 306 a-n may terminate in flat surfaces that physicallycouple to junctions that couple the recesses 310 a-n to the light guides306 a-n.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the lightingassembly 300 includes a mating cap 314 that is coupled to the proximalend 308 of the plurality of light guides 306 a-n. The mating cap 314secures each of the recesses 310 a-n in a fixed configuration.Advantageously, the fixed configuration of the recesses 310 a-n isselected so that one or more recesses 310 a-n match and align with acorresponding LED light source 302 a-n in the plurality of LED lightsources 302 a-n. In other words, the mating cap 314 is configured tomate with the array of LED light sources 302 a-n. This mating isillustrated in FIG. 4, where an upper light-emitting portion of each ofthe LED light sources 302 a-n has been placed within a corresponding oneof the recesses 310 a-n, more specifically the apertures 313 formed bythe light guides 306 a-n.

Referring still to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the light assembly 300further includes a light-emitting lens 316. The light-emitting lens 316is coupled to the distal end 312 of each of the light guides 306 a-n.The light-emitting lens 316 includes a receiving surface 318 and alight-emitting surface 320. The coupling between the light-emitting lens316 and the distal end 312 of the light guides 306 a-n occurs at thereceiving surface 318 of the light-emitting lens 316. The light-emittinglens 316 is formed from a material that facilitates reception of lightat the receiving surface 318 and transfers that light to thelight-emitting surface 320 with minimal attenuation of the light waves.Similarly, the light guides 306 a-n and any cores are formed from amaterial that facilitates transfer of light from one of the plurality ofLED light sources 302 a-n to the light-emitting lens 316 with minimalattenuation of the light waves.

Advantageously, the light received from each one of the plurality oflight guides 306 a-n is combined within the body of the light-emittinglens 316 with the light received from another one of the plurality oflight guides 306 a-n. The combined light waves are then emitted from thelight-emitting surface 320 as a combined light wave instead of aplurality of individual light sources as is generally emitted from theprior-art array of LED light sources 302 a-n that operate without theassistance of the inventive lighting assembly 300. Because of thisblending of the light waves, the present invention advantageously andfor the first time makes it possible to replace the high-power,high-heat producing, and high energy consumption prior-art light sourceswith an array of low-power low-heat producing and low energy consumingLED light sources that do not produce the unwanted multi-shadow effectbehind the subject being lit.

As the side elevation views of FIGS. 3 and 4 show, there is a differencebetween the physical spacing of the LED light sources 302 a-n and thedistance between each of the distal ends 312 of the light guides 306a-n. In other words, an overall dimension of the light-source assembly301 exceeds an overall dimension of the light-channeling portions 304coupled at the light-emitting surface 320. Even more specifically, thepresent invention provides a physical arrangement of the distal ends 312of the plurality of light guides 306 a-n, wherein a spacing between eachof the distal ends 312 of the plurality of light guides 306 a-n at theirconnection point to the lens 316 is less than a spacing between each ofthe proximal ends 308 of the plurality of light guides 306 a-n. Thisdifference in spacing can advantageously provide a more focused andintense light at the lens 316 while also providing sufficient spacingbetween the LED light sources 302 a-n to properly dissipate heatgenerated by each source. Also, as will be explained below, thisdifference in spacing can provide several further advantages in theoverall design of a lighting assembly.

It should be noted that the above-described difference in spacing is notnecessary and, as is shown in FIG. 19, each of the light guides 306 a-ncan be a straight light path, i.e., perpendicular to a support medium311 on which the LED light sources 302 a-n are supported, with a directphysical correspondence on the receiving surface 318 of the lens 316 tothe physical spacing of the adjacent light sources 302 a-n on thelight-source assembly 301.

FIG. 5 provides a top plan view of the light-source assembly 301,specifically illustrating the top side of each of the LED light sources302 a-n in an exemplary light-emitting spacing arrangement. Theinvention, however, is not limited to any particular arrangement of thelight sources 302 a-n. However, because of the below-describeddistribution of colored LED lights, the arrangement shown is novel inits ability to produce a broad spectrum of light colors and effects.Advantageously, the LED array pattern 500 is arranged to providebalanced color for the entire output area. The arrangement and specificplacement of LED light sources 302, both colored and white, provide arobust lighting device that is capable of simulating myriad conditionsand effects.

The LED light sources 302 a-n are grouped into strings based on theircolors. In the particular embodiment shown, each LED color is spreadfrom the center of the pattern 500 in a spiraling arrangement toward theouter edge of the LED board 311. This arrangement provides a spread thatis even, with the outer LEDs overlapping the inner LEDs to produce aconsistent color pattern across the face of the light-source assembly301.

For the color LEDs light sources 600, 700, 800, 900, shown in FIGS. 6-9,there are, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention,four strings of six LED light sources spread from the center of thepattern 500. This arrangement forms a spiral pattern with FIG. 6 showingthe position of red LED light sources 600 a-n, FIG. 7 showing theposition of green LED light sources 700 a-n, FIG. 8 showing the positionof blue LED light sources 800 a-n, and FIG. 9 showing the position ofAmber (yellow) LED light sources 900 a-n. In each figure, that color isrepresented by a darkened circle. The invention however, is not limitedto these particular colors or placement of colors.

For the White LEDs there are two groups 1000, 1100, shown in FIGS. 10and 11, of three strings that are spread from the center of the pattern500. The first group 1000 a-n is shown in FIG. 10 and is a warm whitegroup of LEDs that are in the approximately 3000 Kelvin range. Thesecond group 1100 a-n is shown in FIG. 11 and is a cool white group thatis in the approximately 6500 Kelvin range. By adjusting the intensity ofthe two groups 1000, 1100, the light-source assembly 301 is able toprovide the desired White Temperature that the user desires. Specificexamples of which are provided below.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a top plan view of the light-source assembly301 is shown. The embodiment of FIG. 12 includes a set of alignmentposts 1200 a-d. The alignment posts 1200 a-d are attached to the surfaceof the LED board 311 and extend perpendicularly away (upwards from thedrawing page) from the LED support board 311. The alignment posts 1200a-d advantageously ensure that the light-guide assembly 304 is alignedso that each LED light source 302 a-n properly mates with each recess310 a-n within the mating cap 314 when the light-guide assembly 304 isattached to the light-source assembly 301. This alignment is illustratedin FIG. 13, where the alignment posts 1200 a-d are shown extending fromthe LED support board 311 and passing through apertures within themating cap 314. The alignment posts 1200 a-d allow each of the recesses310 a-n within the mating cap 314 to drop down and rest directly aboveeach upper surface of each LED light source 302 a-n. Although fouralignment posts 1200 a-d are shown in FIG. 12, the invention is notlimited to any specific number of posts. Furthermore, the posts 1200 a-dmay not be equidistant, or may be equidistant.

In addition to providing alignment between the light-source assembly 301and the light-guide assembly 304, the alignment posts 1200 a-d can havebullet-nosed upper portions for easy insertions and provide an automaticstopping point, which prevents the recesses 310 a-n from making physicalcontact with the LED light sources 302 a-n. The presence of a spacebetween the recesses 310 a-n and the LED light sources 302 a-n andprovide improved cooling for the LED light sources 302 a-n and possiblyimproved optical performance. Alternatively, if physical contact betweenthe recesses 310 a-n and the LED light sources 302 a-n is desired, astopping point along the alignment posts 1200 a-d can prevent excessivecontact, i.e., more than just a touching, which could cause damage toeither component.

Furthermore, the alignment posts 1200 a-d can be provided with threadsor other structure that can be used to physically removably couple thelight-guide assembly 304 to the light-source assembly 301. Morespecifically, once the alignment posts 1200 a-d are inserted within theapertures formed within the edges of the mating cap 314, and the matingcap 314 is slid down into position where the LED light sources 302 a-nmate with the recesses 310 a-n, nuts, clamps, or other devices arecoupled to the alignment posts 1200 a-d and prevent the mating cap 314from being removed from the alignment posts 1200 a-d.

Referring now to FIG. 14, a further embodiment of a light-guide assembly1400 is illustrated. The light-guide assembly 1600 shares manysimilarities with the light-guide assembly 304 shown in FIG. 3, butincludes an intermediate body portion 1402 disposed between its lens1404 and the light-source assembly 301. The intermediate body portion1402 features lens-mating surface 1405 and a light-guide mating surface1406, which mates with the distal ends 312 of the light guides 306 a-n.It should be noted that the intermediate body portion 1402 and the lens1404 can be a single integral component and an actual junction orsurface 1405 is not necessary between the two elements. The intermediatebody portion 1402 is selected of a material that is capable of receivinglight rays from the distal ends 312 of the light guides 306 a-n andcommunicating the light to the lens 1404. Preferably, the communicationof light through the intermediate body portion 1402 results in minimalattenuation of the light rays.

Advantageously, the intermediate body portion 1402 provides enhanceddirectivity of the multiple sources of light, i.e., multiple outputsfrom the light guides 306 a-n. More specifically, as light is emittedfrom each of the LED light sources 302 a-n, the light rays exit each ofthe LED light sources 302 a-n at multiple angles. With reference to thesurface of the LED board 311, light is emitted from each of the LEDlight sources 302 a-n at angles from perpendicular to parallel with thesurface of the LED board 311. Most, if not all, of the light emittedfrom the LED light sources 302 a-n is contained within each of thecorresponding light guides 306 a-n and, due to the internally-reflectiveproperties of the light guides 306 a-n, is guided into the intermediatebody portion 1402. As the light exits each respective light guide 306a-n, some components of the light rays will have angular values greaterthan one, i.e., will not be parallel with a longitudinal axis of thelight guide 306 a-n at its point of connection to the surface 1406 ofthe intermediate body portion 1402. The intermediate body portion 1402provides additional internally-reflective structure that guides andaligns the individual light rays in a direction toward the lens 1404.Stated differently, the intermediate body portion 1402 becomes somewhatof a master light guide that receives and channels light from theplurality of light guides 306 a-n to the lens 1404.

In addition, because the multiple light rays are being guided by andreflected within the intermediate body portion 1402, the light raysexiting each of the individual light guides 306 a-n are further blendedas they pass through the intermediate body portion 1402 allowing thelens 1404 to output a smooth blend of the multiple light sources 302a-n.

In each of the embodiments so far shown in the figures, there is adistance L between the mating cap 314 and the connection point of thedistal ends 312 of the light guides 306 a-n. In addition, in each of theembodiments so far shown in the figures, there is less space betweeneach of the adjacent distal ends 312 of the light guides 306 a-n thanbetween each of the LED light sources 302 a-n. This difference inspacing causes at least some of the light guides 306 a-n to have acurvature along their length. As is known in the field of optics, as theamount of curvature in the transmission path increases, so too does theattenuation of the light rays trying to pass through the length of thelight guide 306. Conversely, the straighter the light path through thelight guide, the less the attenuation, diffraction, and degradation ofdirectivity experienced by the light rays. Therefore, it is advantageousto reduce the amount of curvature along the length of each light guide306 a-n. This can be accomplished by increasing the value of the lengthL between the mating cap 314 and the connection point of the distal ends312 of the light guides 306 a-n.

Referring briefly once again to FIG. 1, the prior-art lighting assembly100 is shown in an elevational cutaway view, and illustrates threecomponents located within the interior of the housing 114 of thelighting assembly 100. Attached to a backside of the light-sourceassembly 100 is a heat sink assembly 116. A “heat sink” is a term of artfor a component or assembly that transfers heat generated within a solidmaterial to a fluid medium, such as air or a liquid. A heat sink isphysically designed to increase the surface area in contact with thecooling fluid surrounding it, such as the air, allowing the heattransfer through convection. Heat sink assemblies are known in the artand the heat sink assembly 116 can include a variety of components thatfacilitate the removal of heat from the light-source assembly 100.Exemplary components include cooling fans, cooling fluids, cooling fins,and others. The function of the heat sink assembly 116 is to remove orreduce heat generated by the light-source assembly 100 during operation.As is known in the art, LED light sources 102 a-n produce drasticallyless heat than conventional light bulbs, such as incandescent lightbulbs. However, heat is generated and is preferably reduced or removedfrom within the interior of the lighting assembly 100.

In addition, the prior-art lighting assembly 100 includes adriver/controller circuit 118 that is at least partially disposed withinthe housing 114. The driver/controller circuit 118 controls which onesof the plurality of LED light sources 102 a-n are activated at any giventime and can also control intensities of particular ones of theplurality of LED light sources 102 a-n and colors thereof. Finally, nearthe rear or, in many cases, fully or partially on the exterior of therear of the prior-art lighting assembly 100, is a power supply 120. Thepower supply 120 provides the appropriate voltages to the light-sourceassembly 100 as controlled by the driving circuit 120.

The components of prior-art lighting assemblies, such as the oneillustrated in FIG. 1, are restricted to the layout shown. That is, thelight-source assembly 100 must be at one extreme end of the housing 114so that no other components block its light output. Because the heatsink assembly 116 must be coupled to or in close proximity to thelight-source assembly 100, the heat sink assembly 116 as always foundwithin the housing 114. The power supply 120 and driving circuit 118 arenot necessarily restricted to their order with reference to thelight-source assembly 100 but, because the power supply 120 generatesheat, it is virtually always located on a side of the housing 114opposite the light-source assembly 100.

Advantageously, the present invention is not restricted to the componentarchitecture shown in FIG. 1 and found in the prior-art devices. Thus,the present invention enjoys several benefits that result fromexchanging the order of components shown in FIG. 1. More specifically,with reference now to FIG. 15, one exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in an elevational side partially cross-sectionalview. This view shows that the light-source assembly 301 is no longer atthe distal end 1502 of the light-assembly housing 1504, but, instead,resides near the proximal end 1516 of the light-assembly housing 1504.At the distal end 1502 is a lens 1506. The lens 1506 is coupled to alens body 1508, however, the lens body 1508 is not necessary and thelens 1506 may be coupled directly to the distal end 1510 of the lightguides 1512 a-n.

At a location along a length of the light-guides 1512 a-n, i.e., betweenthe distal ends 1510 and the proximal ends 1514, is a driver/controllercircuit 1515. As will be explained in greater detail below, thedriver/controller circuit 1515 includes the processing ability toindividually address (energize—at various levels) certain ones, if notall, of the light sources 302 a-n within the light-source assembly 301.

As with the light-guide assembly 304 shown in FIG. 3, the proximal end1514 of each light guide 1512 a-n terminates in a recess 1522 a-n. Morespecifically, each light guide 1512 a-n may have one or more cores 1900a-n (shown in FIG. 19) of transparent material at least partially withineach recess 1522 a-n, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As described above, the core 1900 a-n has a concave upperarea formed in the core of the proximal end 1514 of the light guides1512 a-n. In other embodiments, the light guides 1512 a-n can terminatein flat surfaces that physically coupled to junctions that couple therecesses 1522 a-n to the light guides 1512 a-n or may terminate in othersurfaces shaped to couple to one or more light sources 302 a-n.

Continuing toward the proximal end 1516 of the lighting assembly 1600, amating cap 1518 is found on a side of the driver/controller circuit 1515opposite from the lens 1506. The mating cap 1518 is coupled to theproximal end 1514 of the plurality of light guides 1512 a-n. The matingcap 1518 secures each of the recesses 1522 a-n in a fixed configuration.Advantageously, the fixed configuration of the recesses 1522 a-n isselected so that one or more recesses 1522 a-n match and align with acorresponding LED light source 302 a-n in the plurality of LED lightsource array 301. In other words, the mating cap 1518 is configured tomate with the array of LED light sources 301.

In one embodiment, the driver/controller circuit 1515 is formed on acircuit board with an aperture formed within its center so that thelight guides 1512 a-n can pass through this aperture to reach the lensbody 1508 or lens 1506 (in embodiments where the lens body 1508 is notpresent). Alternatively, the light guides 1512 a-n can pass next to thedriver/controller circuit 1515. Regardless of the exact physicalrelationship between the light guides 1512 a-n and the driver/controllercircuit 1515, never before has the driver/controller circuit 1515 beenable to be provided on the light broadcasting side of the LED lightsources 302 a-n, i.e., between the LED light sources 302 a-n and thelens 1506. The repositioning of the LED light sources 302 a-n to theproximal end 1516 of the lighting assembly 1600 advantageouslystraightens the light guides 1512 a-n, thereby eliminating or reducingany curvature along the light path through the light guides 1512 a-n.The reduction in curvature of the light guides 1512 a-n eliminates orreduces attenuation and reflection losses of the light waves beingcommunicated.

In addition, the majority of the heat producing components, i.e., thepower supply 1524 and the heat sink 1526, are on the proximal or rearportion of the lighting assembly 1600. Advantageously, the main focus ofany heat reduction measures can now be directed to the rear section ofthe lighting assembly 1600, where they can efficiently remove heat fromthat portion of the lighting assembly 1600. Furthermore, thedriver/controller circuit 1515, which may feature several componentsthat are sensitive to heat, is removed or distanced from the area wherethe greatest amount of heat is produced. That is, with prior-artdevices, the driver/controller circuit 1515 was always positionedbetween the heat-producing light source assembly 301 and theheat-producing power source 1524. Through embodiments of the presentinvention, the driver/controller circuit 1515 can now, for the firsttime, be positioned toward the distal (front) portion 1502 of thelighting assembly 1600 where less heat is present.

Referring now to FIG. 16, another exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in a side elevational view. FIG. 16 shows severaladvantageous features of the present invention, but the invention can beprovided in various shapes, sizes, combinations of features andcomponents, and varying numbers and functions of the components. Thelighting assembly 1600, as shown in FIG. 16, includes a light-sourceassembly 1601 which includes a plurality of LED light sources 1602 a-nsupported on a curved support surface 1603, e.g., a circuit board. Thecurved support surface 1603 places a central axis 1607 a-n of at leasttwo of the light sources 1602 a-n at angles that differ from each other.

They lighting assembly 1600 further includes a light-guide assembly 1604that features a plurality of light guides 1606 a-n, each having aproximal end 1608 and its distal end 1612 opposite the proximal end1608. The proximal end 1608 of each light guide 1606 a-n terminates in arecess 1610 a-n. More specifically, each light guide 1606 a-n has anaperture at least partially within each recess 1610 a-n, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In other embodiments, thelight guides 1606 a-n can terminate in flat surfaces that physicallycoupled to junctions that couple the recesses 1610 a-n to the lightguides 1606 a-n.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the lightingassembly 1600 includes a mating cap 1614 that is coupled to the proximalend 1608 of the plurality of light guides 1606 a-n. The mating cap 1614secures each of the recesses 1610 a-n in a fixed configuration and isalso shaped in a curvature that is complimentary to the curvature of thecurved support surface 1603. More specifically, the curved matingsurface 1609 of the mating cap 1614 places a central axis 1611 a-n of atleast two of the recesses 1610 a-n at angles that differ from eachother. Advantageously, the curvature of the mating cap 1614 places eachof the recesses 1610 a-n in a position to match and align with acorresponding LED light source 1602 a-n in the plurality of LED lightsources. In an alternative embodiment, the recesses 1610 a-n areintegral with the mating cap 1614. That is, the recesses 1610 a-n andthe mating cap 1614 are formed as a single component.

FIG. 16 also shows that the light assembly 1600 further includes alight-emitting lens 316 that is coupled to the distal end 1612 of eachof the light guides 1606 a-n. The light-emitting lens 316 includes areceiving surface 318 and a light-emitting surface 320. The couplingbetween the light-emitting lens 316 and the distal end 1612 of the lightguides 1606 a-n occurs at the receiving surface 118 of thelight-emitting lens 316. The light-emitting lens 316 is formed from amaterial that facilitates reception of light at the receiving surface318 and transfer of that light to the light-emitting surface 320 withminimal attenuation of the light waves. Similarly, the light guides 1606a-n and any cores 1900 a-n are formed from a material that facilitatestransfer of light from one of the plurality of LED light sources 1602a-n to the light-emitting lens 316 with minimal degradation of the lightwaves.

Advantageously, the curvature of the curved support surface 1603 placeseach of the LED light source 1602 a-n at an angle that faces thereceiving surface 318 of the lens 316. This variation in angle from theembodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 reduces the needed bend of the lightguides 1606 a-n, which therefore reduces the transmission loss of thelight waves being communicated within and through the light guides 1606a-n.

Advantageously, once inside the lens 316, the light received from eachone of the plurality of light guides 1606 a-n is combined with the lightreceived from another one of the plurality of light guides 1606 a-n. Thecombined light waves are then emitted from the light-emitting surface320 as a combined light wave. Because of this blending of the lightwaves, the present invention advantageously and for the first time makesit possible to replace the high-power, high-heat producing, and highenergy consumption prior-art light sources with an array of low-powerlow-heat producing and low energy consuming LED light sources that donot produce the unwanted multi-shadow effect behind the subject beinglit.

As the side elevation views of FIG. 16 show, there is a differencebetween the physical spacing of the LED light sources 1602 a-n and thedistance between the distal ends 1612 of the light guides 1606 a-n. Thatis, the present invention provides a physical arrangement of the distalends 1612 of the plurality of light guides 1606 a-n, wherein a spacingbetween each of the distal ends 1612 of the plurality of light guides1606 a-n at their connection point to the lens 316 is less than aspacing between each of the proximal ends 1608 of the plurality of lightguides 1606 a-n. This difference in spacing can advantageously provide amore focused and intense light at the lens 316.

In one embodiment, the light guide assembly 1604 shown in FIG. 16 is notpresent. Because of the curvature of the supporting surface 1603, lightfrom the light sources 1602 a-n is focused directly on the receivingsurface 318 of the lens 316. The light directed to the receiving surface318 is received through the receiving surface 318 and efficientlyemitted from the emitting surface 320.

Referring now to FIG. 17, a further embodiment of the present inventionis illustrated in a side elevational cross-sectional view. The exemplarylight assembly 1700 of FIG. 17 includes a light-source assembly 1701,which includes a plurality of LED light sources 1702 a-n coupled to asupport surface 1703. The support surface 1703 can be, for example acircuit board selectively delivering power to the LED light sources 1702a-n. In this embodiment, unlike those shown and described above, theplurality of LED light sources 1702 a-n are coupled to a side of thesupport surface 1703 that is opposite to the light-transmissiondirection, illustrated by light rays 1710 a-n. Coupled to an upper sideof the support surface 1703 is a heat sink 1726. The heat sink 1726functions to remove heat from the light-source assembly 1701.

Disposed below the support surface 1703, i.e., on the same side of thesupport surface 1703 as the LED light sources 1702 a-n, is a parabolicreflector 1704. The parabolic reflector 1704 is provided with areflective interior surface 1706 that reflects light produced by the LEDlight sources 1702 a-n when they are energized. Parabolic reflectors arewell known in the art; therefore, the details of which will not bedescribed here. In addition, the support surface 1703 can be providedwith a reflective surface 1709 that further reflects light back to theparabolic reflector 1704.

As can also be seen in FIG. 17, the support surface 1703 has an aperture1708 that allows light rays 1710 a-n reflected by the parabolicreflector 1704 to pass through the support surface 1703. Of course, thelight rays 1710 a-n shown in FIG. 17 illustrate only a small sample ofthe light rays that would actually be generated by the LED light sources1702 a-n and reflected within and by the parabolic reflectors 1704.Advantageously, the individual light rays generated by each of theindividual LED light sources 1702 a-n, would be combined and focused bythe effect of the parabolic reflectors 1704, thereby producing acomposite light ray that is not predisposed to producing a multi-shadowbehind the subject being eliminated by the inventive light assembly1700. Although not shown in FIG. 17, the light rays 1710 a-n can bedirected to a lens that further directs the light rays 1710 a-n to theintended subject.

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the driver/controllercircuit 1515. In the embodiment shown, the driver/controller circuit1515 includes a processor 1802, a memory 1810, a clock 1814, acommunication port 1812, and a controller 1808. The processor 1802 isoperable to read a set of instructions from a memory 1810 and delivercontrol signals to the controller 1808. The instructions can be in theform of a program or software application with predefined lightingsettings. The controller 1808 receives the control signals from theprocessor 1802 and, in certain embodiments, is able to individuallyaddress each of the plurality of LED light sources. In otherembodiments, the array of LED light sources acts as a single bulb andthe controller 1808 causes the entire array of LED light sources toenergize as desired.

A user interface 1801 is communicatively coupled to thedriver/controller circuit 1515. The user interface 1801 includes adisplay 1804 and a plurality of user inputs 1806. In accordance with thepresent invention, the inventive light assembly 300 is fullyprogrammable through the user interface 1801 or through one or morecommunication ports 1812, e.g., USB, coupled to the processor 1802and/or memory 1810. In other embodiments, the light assembly 300 isoperable wirelessly, using a WiFi network, for example, or other systemsutilizing radio waves. The assembly 300 may also be operable through useof data applications of mobile devices.

Through use of the user interface 1801, and in particular, the userinputs 1806 and the display 1804, the user can configure the lightingassembly 300 to produce one of many available lighting effects, such asemergency vehicle emergency lights, fire, water, lightning, shadows castby televisions, and many more. Settings that contribute toward creatinga specific effect include a temperature adjustment, a color correctionadjustment, a color adjustment, a white adjustment, a frequencyadjustment, a duty cycle adjustment, and more.

A temperature adjustment, which adjusts the white temperature levelfrom, for example, about 3200 to about 6800 Kelvin in approximately 10degree increments and be determined by a user through the user interface1801 or port 1812. Exemplary preset values are MAX=5600, MIN=3200. Aconfigurable master adjustment adjusts the LED level for all LEDs fromabout 0-100%. Exemplary preset values of the master adjustment areMAX=100, MIN=0. A color correction adjustment applies either a green ormagenta offset to the white light to adjust the color to the desiredwhiteness value from about −8 to 8, although other values areacceptable. Exemplary preset values of the color correction adjustmentare MAX=8, MIN=−8. A color adjustment adjusts the LED level for allcolor LEDs (Red, Green, Blue, and Amber) from about 0-100%. Exemplarypreset values of the color adjustment are MAX=100, MIN=0. A whiteadjustment adjusts the LED level for the white LEDs from about 0-100%.Exemplary preset values of the white adjustment are about MAX=100,MIN=0. An effect selector selects the effect for the lighting assemblyto produce. Several, but not all, exemplary effects are described below.The frequency selector can be used to adjust the cycle time of theselected effect from about 0.01-5.0 seconds, although other values areacceptable. An exemplary available frequency selection range varies fromabout a maximum of 100 and a minimum of 0. The duty cycle selector canbe used to adjust the Duty cycle for the selected effect from about1-100%. Exemplary preset values of the duty cycle selector are aboutMAX=100, MIN=1.

The table below provides several exemplary special-effects settings, adescription of each, and exemplary setting values.

Effect Description Initial settings None All LEDs off White = 0 Red = 0Green = 0 Blue = 0 Amber = 0 Temperature = 5600 Frequency = 0.5 Duty =20 Strobe Flash selected LEDs White = 100 at the selected duty Red = 0cycle and frequency. Green = 0 Blue = 0 Amber = 0 Temperature = 5600Frequency = 0.5 Duty = 20 Chase 1 Cycles through the red, White = 0green, blue, and amber Red = 100 LEDs at the selected Green = 100frequency with a fade Blue = 100 on and off for each LED. Amber = 100Temperature = 5600 Frequency = 0.25 Duty = 100 Chase 2 Cycles throughthe red, White = 0 green, blue, and amber Red = 100 LEDs at the selectedGreen = 100 frequency with a hard Blue = 100 on and off for each LED.Amber = 100 Temperature = 5600 Frequency = 0.25 Duty = 100 Police OldFades the blue LEDs to full White = 0 on for the first half of thecycle, Red = 100 then sets the blue LEDs to off and Green = 0 sets thered LEDs to full on and Blue = 100 fades the red LEDs to off for theAmber = 0 second half of the cycle. Cycle Temperature = time isdetermined by the 5600 Frequency value. Frequency = 0.6 Duty = 80 PoliceNew Flashes the blue LEDs four times, White = 0 then the red LEDs fourtimes for Red = 100 each cycle. Cycle time is Green = 0 determined bythe frequency Blue = 100 value. Amber = 0 Temperature = 5600 Frequency =0.6 Duty = 80 Fire Truck Fades the red LEDs to full on for White = 0 Oldthe first half of the cycle, then Red = 100 sets the red LEDs to off andGreen = 0 sets the amber LEDs to full on Blue = 0 and fades the amberLEDs to Amber = 100 off for the second half of the Temperature = cycle.Cycle time is determined 5600 by the Frequency value. Frequency = 0.6Duty = 80 Fire Truck Flashes the red LEDs four times, White = 0 New thenthe amber LEDs four times Red = 100 for each cycle. Cycle time is Green= 0 determined by the frequency Blue = 0 value. Amber = 100 Temperature= 5600 Frequency = 0.6 Duty = 80 Ambulance Fades the red LEDs to full onfor White = 50 Old the first half of the cycle, then Red = 100 sets thered LEDs to off and Green = 0 sets the white LEDs to full on Blue = 0and fades the white LEDs to Amber = 0 off for the second half of theTemperature = cycle. Cycle time is determined 3600 by the frequencyvalue. Frequency = 0.6 Duty = 80 Ambulance Flashes the red LEDs fourtimes, White = 50 New then the white LEDs four times Red = 100 for eachcycle. Cycle time is Green = 0 determined by the frequency Blue = 0value. Amber = 0 Temperature = 3600 Frequency = 0.6 Duty = 80 Fire/Random settings of the red and White = 0 Candle amber LEDs to produce aRed = 100 flickering effect simulating a Green = 0 fire or candle.Flickering Blue = 0 frequency is determined by Amber = 100 the Frequencyvalue. Temperature = 3600 Frequency = 0.15 Duty = 100 Water Blue withpulsing white. White = 50 Red = 0 Green = 0 Blue = 100 Amber = 0Temperature = 3600 Frequency = 4.0 Duty = 100 TV Alternating shades ofWhite to White = 50 emulate a TV changing scenes. Red = 0 Green = 0 Blue= 100 Amber = 100 Temperature = 3600 Frequency = 1.25 Duty = 100Lightning Random flashes of high intensity White = 100 White light. Red= 0 Green = 0 Blue = 100 Amber = 0 Temperature = 5600 Frequency = 1.5Duty = 100

Color Correction can be applied by calculating the green or magentalevel needed to adjust the White color. This allows the user to shiftthe white light to either green or magenta for their application. It hasbeen determined that a negative value on the color correction, forexample, −1 to −8, will apply a magenta level. This is done by applyingthe blue and red LEDs with increasing brightness to change the whitelight output. The value applied is proportional to the white lightintensity, so if the white light is at a low setting the colorcorrection may not have any effect. The following table shows exemplarypercentages for the red and blue LEDs with the white LEDs set to 100%:

Color Correction Blue Red Value Percentage Percentage −1 4 4 −2 8 8 −312 12 −4 16 16 −5 20 20 −6 24 24 −7 28 28 −8 32 32

A positive value on the color correction, 1 to 8, will apply a greenlevel. This is done by applying green LEDs with increasing brightness tochange the white light output. The value applied is proportional to thewhite light intensity, so if the white light is at a low setting thecolor correction may not have any effect. The following table shows thepercentage for the green LEDs with the white LEDs set to 100%:

Color Correction Green Value Percentage 1 4 2 8 3 12 4 16 5 20 6 24 7 288 32

Although far superior to traditional light-bulbs, LEDs also generateheat when turned on for extending periods of time or when there aremultiple LEDs turned on at one time. Generally, in order to achieve theoptimum lifespan, LEDs should be exposed to an environment withrelatively cool air. Prior-art lighting devices utilize one or moreelectric fans to force air into the body of the light, across theheat-generating components, and out a series of vents provided usuallyon all sides of the light body. Unfortunately, the electric fans utilizea considerable amount of electrical energy and it has been found thatfluid dynamics controlling the flow of air into and out of the bodyresults in a considerable amount of turbulence that pushes back andresists the input of fresh air into the body. This resistance is afurther waste of energy and the cooling effect is not efficient on thecomponents inside the light body. Embodiments of the present inventionprovide vents on only an upper side and a lower side of the light bodyand eliminate the need for an electric fan or any other type of activeair introduction device. Embodiments of the present inventionadvantageously utilize the principles of physics to accomplish animproved cooling effect on the components within the light body.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side elevational partial view of alighting-assembly 1902 featuring straight light-guides 1904 a-n alignedand mated with an adjacent light-source assembly 1906 a-n in accordancewith the present invention. As previously discussed, FIG. 19 alsoillustrates the light guides having cores 1900 a-n within the recessedportions 1908 a-n at the end 1910 of the light-guides 1904 a-n. Thecores 1900 a-n may also have an aperture sized to receive the end of thelight-source assembly 1906 a-n. Similar to FIG. 3, at the distal end1912 of the light-guides 1904 a-n is the receiving surface 318 of thelight-emitting lens 316.

FIG. 20 illustrates a further exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention. As previously discussed, one embodiment of the presentinvention includes a heat sink 1526 coupled to the LED light sources 302a-n as shown in FIG. 15. This advantageously allows those heat-producingcomponents to be placed in the back of the assembly 1500 where they canbe effectively cooled. As the heat sink 1526, power supply 1524, and,potentially, the driver/controller circuit 1515 all generate heat, theembodiment shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate an effective andefficient way of dissipating the heat that is generated. In oneembodiment, the LED light casing 2000 houses at least one portion 2002of the light sources 302 a-n, particularly a portion that generatesheat. The housing assembly 2000 has a first end 2004 and a second end2006 that is substantially enclosed. The term “substantially encloses”or “substantially enclosed” as used herein, unless otherwise stated,means completely, or with small opening(s) less than one-half inch ofthe opening's smallest diameter, surrounding a referenced object, plane,surface or material.

To further prevent air from escaping, the LED light casing 2000 also hasa right upper face 2008 and a left upper face 2010, which are alsosubstantially enclosed. The left and right lower sides of the casing2000 are partially hidden in FIG. 20 and may also be substantiallyenclosed as well. Now, referring to FIG. 21, a perspectivecross-sectional downward-looking view of the assembly 2000 of FIG. 20 isshown in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The LEDlight casing 2000 has a substantially enclosed lower portion 2100defining a lower aperture 2102 for air to pass through. The LED lightcasing 2000 also has a substantially enclosed upper portion 2104,opposite the lower portion 2100, defining an upper aperture 2106. Thelower and upper apertures 2102, 2106 create openings sufficient to allowair to enter and exit, respectively, and form part of a heat-dissipatingair-flow engine. In contrast to electric fans, which are noisy, wasteenergy, add cost, add failure rates, and create turbulent air flowwithin an enclosed light assembly, thereby causing inefficient cooling,the present invention advantageously removes generated heat fromcomponents without the need or use of fans or blowers. As with mostelectric components, removing the heat prolongs the life of thecomponents inside of the LED light casing 2000, especially thosesensitive to heat, such as LED bulbs, circuits, and/or control boards.

To achieve the effective cooling, the LED light casing 2000 issubstantially enclosed on all sides and ends, except for two portions,e.g., the lower and upper apertures 2102, 2106, opposite each other,where it is desired for air to flow at a certain velocity. As the LEDlight casing 2000 is substantially enclosed, except for the apertures2002, 2006, a pressure difference is created between the heated airinside of the LED light casing 2000 and the outside cooler ambient air2108. The heat within the LED light casing 2000 is removed by a constantstream of cool air that is driven through the device by a novelheat-dissipating air engine created by the lower and upper apertures2102, 2106. This movement of air is referred to herein as the “chimneyeffect” and is illustrated in connection with the lighting assembly 300shown in FIG. 3. Never before has a commercial studio light, such asthat depicted in FIG. 21, been sufficiently cooled without the use of afan or any other active cooling device.

Still referring to FIG. 21, when heat is generated by the LED lightsources 302 a-n or other heat generating components inside the LED lightcasing 2000, the temperature of the air enclosed within the casing 2000is greater than the ambient air 2108 temperature outside the casing2000. The increase in air temperature has an inversely-proportionalcorrelation to the density of the corresponding air. As such, not onlydoes the hotter, less dense, air rise through the upper aperture 2106,but a pressure difference is created between the higher pressure outsideambient air 2108 and the lower pressure enclosed air. The increase intemperature, in combination with a height 2110 separating the upperaperture(s) 2106 and lower aperture(s) 2102, generates a flux of coolerair generally known as the aforementioned, “chimney effect.” The overallrate of flow is a function of the temperature inside of the casing 2000,the enclosed area inside the casing 2000, the size of the apertures2102, 2106, and the height 2110 separating those apertures.

In one embodiment, there will be one or more apertures on the lowestextent 2112 of the lower portion 2100 or the highest extent 2114 of theupper portion 2104. In other embodiments, the apertures may be locatedon an upper portion 2116 of the sides 2008, 2010. In one embodiment, tomaximize heat transfer from heat sink and/or the LED light sources 302a-n, the apertures 2102, 2106 are substantially collinear, or having twopoints lying along a straight line, or within one inch displaced fromone another. In other embodiments, the apertures 2102, 2106 may beoffset and located in different locations on the casing 2000. There mayalso be more than one set of apertures which further facilitate in thecreation of other airflows that cool other components of the lightingassembly 300.

Although never before thought possible, as FIG. 21 illustrates, the airflow created by the novel heat-dissipating air-flow engine, representedwith arrows 2118, efficiently removes heat dissipated from the heat sink1526 and other components within the casing 2000. In one embodiment, thecasing 2000 may include a portion of the light sources 302 a-n. In otherembodiments, the casing 2000 may include other components desired to becooled, such as the power supply 1524 or one or more circuit boards.Moreover, an embodiment of the present invention may also include a heatsink coupled to any of the above mentioned components to further reducethe heat generated. The casing 2000 also may include one or morepartitions 2120 that are coupled to the side walls of the casing 2000.The partition 2120 may serve the role of restraining the components ofthe assembly 300 and provides a boundary that directs the flow of air2118 outwardly through the top vent 2106. The partition 2120 alsofacilitates the creation of the temperature difference between theinside of the casing and the outside environment that is a driving forcebehind the air exchange rate.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 22, the light-assembly casing/housing2200 is shaped in the form of a hexagon. In other embodiments, thelight-assembly housing 2200 may be formed in various shapes and sizes,and may have various components connected thereto. The side walls of thelight-assembly housing 2000 are also shown as being substantiallyenclosed, while the top and the bottom walls have apertures 2202 that,through the chimney effect described above, pull cooler air, representedwith arrows 2204, from the bottom of the housing 2200, through theinterior, across the components therein, and out through the top. FIG.22 also illustrates the assembly 300 with the heat sink 1526 removed,revealing the end of the plurality of light sources 302 a-n whichgenerates the majority of heat. The casing 2000, which includes thelight assembly 300, may have legs 2122 that assist the casing 2000 instanding upright. The legs 2122 also position casing 2000 where theupper aperture 2106 is at a higher altitude above the lower aperture2102 in order to facilitate the removal of heat from the light assembly300.

Further embodiments of the present invention also provide a novel andefficient self-cooled lighting assembly that removes the heat generatedfrom one or more light bulb assemblies by exposing those heatinggenerating portions of the light bulb assemblies to airflow produced bya novel heat-dissipating air engine. Embodiments of the invention alsoprovide that the self-cooled light assembly may be built into apre-existing structure that creates ventilation from a novelheat-dissipating engine when at least one light emitting source isinserted therein, and in operation. In further embodiments of thepresent invention, the light assembly has a light bulb assembly with anairflow chamber coupled thereto and is portable to beremovably-couplable a standard-sized light bulb port and creating achimney effect when the light bulb assembly is in operation.

Referring now to FIG. 23, one embodiment of the present invention isshown in an elevational cross-sectional front view. FIG. 23 showsseveral advantageous features of the present invention, but, as will bedescribed below, the invention can be provided in several shapes, sizes,combinations of features and components, and varying numbers andfunctions of the components. As shown in FIG. 23, the first example of aself-cooled lighting assembly 2300 is shown being applied to apre-existing structure, such as a wall or ceiling 2302 of a building.Although the present invention may be applied to virtually any lightemitting source encapsulated in a bulb-like structure, for the ease ofthe reader, the lighting assembly 2300 will be discussed with referenceto one or more LED light sources. In other embodiments, the pre-existingstructure is a lamp, a vehicle, or other similar structure with a powersource sufficient to supply power to the light assembly 2300. Theassembly 2300, in its basic form includes an airflow chamber 2304 and alight bulb assembly 2306, also referred to herein as a LED assembly,which is coupled to the airflow chamber 2304.

The airflow chamber 2304 has a first end 2308 and a second end 2310opposite to the first end 2308. In one embodiment, the airflow chamber2304 may be formed in the general circular shape. In other embodiments,however, the chamber 2304 may be formed in various other shapessufficient to enclose and transport the air within. Separating the firstand second ends 2308, 2310 is a side wall 2312. In one embodiment, theside wall 2312 extends horizontally and vertically and may includeportions of the ceiling 2302, as shown in FIG. 23. In other embodiments,the side wall 2312 may extend vertically, at an angle, or may extend ina variety of directions. The side wall 2312 is shown defining a firstopening 2314 and a second opening 2316 that is in fluid communicationwith an outside environment, e.g., air. The outside environment variesdepending on the location of the assembly 2300, but may include theinside room of a house, the attic, a ceiling space, or the outsideatmospheric air. When the assembly 2300 is in operation and confinedwithin a small enclosed space, as shown in FIG. 2, the first opening2314 should be placed directly toward the larger area of cool air andaway from any obstructions that would inhibit the intake of air.

Furthermore, when the assembly 2300 is in operation, as shown in FIG.23, the second opening 2316, also referred to as the distal opening,releases the air upwardly through the walls or spaces of the home whereit is subsequently expelled into the environment outside of the home.The first opening 2314, also referred to as the proximal opening,intakes air from the room of the home where the assembly 2300 islocated. Although FIG. 23 illustrates the side wall 2312 completelydefining the first and second openings 2314, 2316, in other embodiments,the side wall 2312 at least partially defines the first and secondopenings 2314, 2316. To achieve the desired flow across one or moreportions of the LED assembly 2306, the second opening 2316 is downstreamto the first opening 2314.

As previously mentioned, the flow of air generated by the novelheat-dissipating engine of the present invention is a function of heightbetween at least two openings, the average area of the openings, theaverage volume of an airflow channel 2320 defined by the airflow chamber2304, and the temperature difference between the average temperature ofthe airflow channel 2320 and the temperature outside of the chamber2304. More specifically, the side wall 2312 includes an inner surface2318 which defines the airflow channel 2320. As shown, the inner surface2318 completely defines the airflow channel 2320. In other embodiments,the inner surface 2318 at least partially defines the airflow channel2320 as one or more portions of the LED assembly 2306 may also definethe airflow channel 2320, as shown in FIG. 25. Contrary to all knownmodes of simply placing an LED lighting assembly in an environment andletting heat randomly dissipate, now, for the first time, and inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the LEDassembly 2306 is continually cooled by an organized steady stream ofair. This stream of cool air is provided without the use of externaldevices, which generally produce heat and require electricitythemselves, thereby creating an efficient and effective cooling process.

The LED assembly 2306, more specifically, at least one light emittingsource 2322, also referred to herein as at least one LED light source2322, is also shown at least partially placed within the airflow channel2320 such that it can be said to be thermally coupled to the channel2320. As the LED light source 2322 generates heat and is also one of thecomponents that is a focal point of novelty in another embodiment, theat least one LED light source 2322 may be placed entirely within theairflow channel 2320. In other embodiments, the light source 2322 mayhave one or more heat sinks 2325 attached thereto to facilitate heattransfer, as described above. As the light source 2322 may have one ormore heat conducting materials coupled thereto, such as the heat sink2325, the light source 2322 would still be considered at least partiallywithin the airflow channel 2320 or, at a minimum, thermally coupled tothe airflow channel 2320. Stated another way, as long as heat generatedfrom the at least one light source 2322 is transferred to the airflowchannel 2320, the light source 2322 is said to be thermally coupled tothe channel 2320 in accordance with the present invention.

Still referring to FIG. 23, the LED light source 2322 is shown with anelectrical contact portion 2324 that is disposed for attachment to anelectrical source 2326. In embodiments where one or more LEDs are used,a diode 2328, or other light emitting source, is in electricalcommunication with the electrical contact portion 2324. In oneembodiment, the electrical contact portion 2324 is a metallic base thatis adapted to couple to standard electrical lighting outlet. Theelectrical source 2326 also includes the aforementioned outlet. In otherembodiments, the contact portion 2324 may be in the form of any maleportion of a male/female attachment, or other similar attachment,sufficient to transfer electricity from the electrical source 2326 tothe diode 2328, or other light emitting source. Further, the electricalsource 2326 may include any female portion of a male/female attachment,or other similar attachment, sufficient to transfer electricity to thediode 2328. In one embodiment, the electrical source 2326 may generatealternating current (AC) sufficient to power the LED assembly 2306. Inother embodiments, the electrical source 2326 may generate directcurrent (DC) to the LED assembly 2306 sufficient to power the assembly2306.

When the light source 2322 is supplied electricity, energy, in the formof heat and light, is released. This heat, in combination with the heatfrom any other components, such as a power source and/or a circuitboard/controller, is transferred to the adjacent air within the channel2320. As the air within the channel 2320 is heated, it becomes lessdense than the outside environmental air and therefore rises as theresult of the buoyancy force. As the hot air is displaced, the cooler,denser, air enters and passes by the heating elements of the LEDassembly 2306. At the same time, the air within the channel 2320 and theatmospheric pressure are unequal, such that the high-pressure air withinthe channel 2320 seeks the low-pressure outside environment. As a resultof this pressure difference, a flow is induced, which in turn providesand maintains the LED assembly 2306 at a lower temperature than thoseLED assemblies presently available in the prior-art, without the use ofother devices, such as fans. The term “fan,” as used herein, is intendedto generically describe any device with a moving element that forces amovement of air across some distance.

In one embodiment, the airflow chamber 2304, which may include the sidewall 2312 or the first or second ends 2308, 2310, surround and enclosethe heat generating portions of the LED assembly 2306 so there aresubstantially no air leaks in the airflow channel 2320. This may beaccomplished by gaskets or another malleable medium that may be insertedbetween the LED assembly 2306 and chamber 2304. In other embodiments,one or more portions of the chamber 2304 adjacent to the LED assemblymay be open to allow air to flow in, but is sufficient to still generateand maintain a flux of airflow.

FIG. 24 illustrates another embodiment of the LED light assembly 2400,with two LED assemblies 2402, 2404 coupled to the airflow chamber 2406.FIG. 24 shows the diverse and novel applications of the presentinvention. Similar to FIG. 23, and taking assembly 2402 as an example,the assembly 2402 has a light case 2408 which includes a portion of thediode 2410, or other light emitting source that may be utilized. Thecase 2408 prevents degradation of the light generated from the diode2410 should the diode 2410 be completely or partially placed within theairflow channel 2412. In one embodiment, the light case 2408 is placedpartially or completely within the airflow channel 2412. In suchinstances, the case 2408, when the LED assembly 2402 is in operation,may receive transient airflow over the surface of the case 2408 or, asshown in FIG. 25, may define one or more portions of the airflow channel2412. In further embodiments, the case 2408 is coupled to an outsidesurface of the chamber 2406 and not placed within the channel 2412.

In addition to the first and second openings 2414, 2416 supplying andexpelling the air that drives the cooling process, the present inventionanticipates that more than one opening at each end may be used. Forexample, in the configuration shown in FIG. 24, the two lower openings2414, 2418 intake the outside air, while two upper openings 2416, 2420allow the air to exit. As such, each LED assembly 2402, 2404 is cooledprimarily by an induced flow created by all of the openings 2414, 2416,2418, 2420. In other embodiments, the configuration of the airflowchannel 2406 is similar to FIG. 23, and more than one LED assembly 2402is placed within the airflow channel 2406. Stated another way, there maybe multiple LED assemblies being cooled from at least two openings 2314,2316 defined by the airflow chamber 2304.

Now referring to FIG. 25, another embodiment of the present invention isshown from an elevational, partially cross-sectional, side view. Theairflow chamber 2502 of the LED cooling assembly 2500 has first andsecond ends 2504, 2506 with the side wall 2508 separating those ends2504, 2506. When compared to the side wall 2312 shown in FIG. 23, theside wall 2508 of FIG. 25 only partially defines the first and secondopenings 2510, 2512. The LED assembly 2514 also partially defines thefirst and second openings 2510, 2512 along with partially defining theairflow channel 2516. In contrast to FIG. 23, where the assembly 2300 isformed within a ceiling 2302 or other structure, the assembly 2500 ofFIG. 25 is portable and may be coupled to a standard-sized light bulboutlet 2518.

In one embodiment, the side wall 2508 is substantially enclosed. Withthe side wall 2508 substantially enclosed, the assembly 2500 continuallyproduces a constant flow of air across the LED assembly 2514. In otherembodiments, the side wall 2508 may not be substantially enclosed, butany openings, including the first and second openings 2510, 2512, andheight 2600 (shown in FIG. 26) of the side wall 2508 are sized togenerate a flow when the LED assembly 2514 is in operation. In oneembodiment, the side wall 2508 may have a height 2600 (shown in FIG. 26)of approximately 4-6 inches, with an average inner area 2602 (shown inFIG. 26) of approximately 9 in². The average area 2602 is the differenceof an area defined by the side wall 2508 and an area defined by the LEDassembly 2514, including any attachments that protrude into the airflowchannel 2516, if applicable. In other embodiments, the average area2602, height 2600, and any potential apertures in the side wall 2508will vary, and may be more or less than the dimensions listed above.

The LED assembly 2514 may also have one or more heat sinks 2520 attachedthereto to effectively dissipate the heat from the light source and anycomponents that are sensitive to heat exposure. The heat sinks 2520 canbe seen wrapping around the external surface of the LED assembly 2514.In one embodiment, the heat sink 2520 has a plurality of heatdissipating members 2526, each of those members 2526 with a portionoriented in a general direction of the airflow channel 2516 in whichthey are placed. When the heat dissipating members 2526 are in thegeneral direction of the airflow channel 2516 they can effectivelyremove heat from one or more components from which they are attached.For example, as the airflow channel 2516 extends longitudinally upwardtoward the ceiling 202, as should the heat dissipating members 2526.This allows the members 2526 to expose the most surface area to theairflow generated by the assembly 2500, while at the same time notinhibiting the induced airflow. In other embodiments, the LED assembly2514 may not have a heat sink 2520 and/or any heat dissipating members2516, and the flow of air within the airflow channel 2516 passes one ormore portions of the LED light source and any other components of theLED assembly 2514 directly. Furthermore, in other embodiments, when theLED assembly 2514 is installed on a vertical surface, as opposed to ahorizontal ceiling as shown in FIG. 25, the heat dissipating members2526 are oriented vertically, and the openings 2510, 2512 are placed inlocations that create a height difference sufficient to induce airflow.That height varies depending on the aforementioned areas, but may besimilar to those dimensions listed above. In other embodiments, thedimensions may vary.

The light bulb assembly 2514 may be a standard-sized LED assembly, whichincludes any of those embodiments described herein, including thoseutilizing light guides, or may be incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs,or other light-emitting bulb that generates heat. Now, a light assemblycan advantageously remove those components of the assembly 2500 thatgenerate heat from an environment occupied by the heat produced fromthose components. Further, any heat generated from those components iseffectively and efficiently removed by creating a flow of cooler airfrom an outside environment, and without the use of external devices,such as fans or blowers. This flow of air, represented by the arrows2522, is passed by the external surface of the LED assembly 2514,thereby removing the heat generated. In one embodiment, the airflowchamber 2502 is formed as part of one or more portions of the LEDassembly 2514, such as the LED light case 2524. In other embodiments,the chamber 2502 is independent to the LED assembly 2514 and is coupledusing fastening screws or bolts, adhesives, or other fastening means.

In one embodiment, the airflow chamber 2502 may be made with a durablepolymer, such as polystyrene or polyethylene. In other embodiments, theairflow chamber 2502, including those embodiments shown in FIGS. 23 and24, is made from wood, various metallic-based materials, composites, orother polymers. Further, when applied to the embodiments shown in FIGS.25 through 27, the polymer may be flexible to allow it to contour to oneor more portions of the outer surface of the LED assembly 2514.

Referring to FIG. 26, an additional view of the assembly of FIG. 25 isshown from a downward-looking, partially cross-sectional, perspectiveview. To create an airflow, as discussed herein, the second opening 2512is a positive value height 2600 above the first opening 2510. As such,the second opening 2512 will not be any height 2600 value, relative tothe first opening 2510, less than zero. Said another way, the secondopening 2512 could be said not to be adjacent to, or below, the firstopening 2510. It is the placement of the opening 2512 above the opening2510 that facilitates the creation of the heat-dissipating engine. Ifthe assembly 2500 is rotated into another configuration, such as pluggedinto a light bulb outlet on floor lamp, the first and second openings2510, 2512 would be opposite to one-another, i.e. the first opening 2510would now be the second opening 2512.

FIG. 26 further illustrates how side wall 2508 continually surrounds theouter surface of those heat-generating components of the LED assembly2514 to minimize air leaks and provide efficient cooling. In otherembodiments, the side wall 2508 may still surround the LED assembly2516, but the airflow channel 2516 may have certain portions obstructedor filled in by material 2604 of the chamber 2502 or the LED assembly2514. The chamber 2502 may also form a plurality of individual airflowchannels 2516 that subject the LED assembly 2514 to a stream of airflow.In other embodiments of the assembly 2700, as shown in FIG. 27, theairflow chamber 2702 may have portions 2704 that extend over the firstopening 2510, thereby creating smaller apertures. The second opening2512 may also be partially covered. Although the assembly 2700 may bedownwardly-tapered as shown in FIG. 27, in other embodiments, theassembly 2700 may not have any curvature, may be upwardly-tapered, orany combination of the above.

FIGS. 28 and 29 illustrate top and bottom plan views of the assembly2700 of FIG. 27, respectively. The first and second openings 2510, 2512are shown defined by both the airflow chamber 2702 and the LED assembly2514. The second opening 2512 may be smaller, or larger than the firstopening 2510 depending on the curvature of the chamber 2702 and/or LEDassembly 2514. The openings 2510, 2512 may also vary depending on thewhether any of the openings 2510, 2512 are partially covered. e.g., thefirst opening 2510 as shown in FIG. 28. The bottom electrical contactportion 2900 of the LED assembly 2514 can also be seen.

Now, turning to FIGS. 30 through 33, alternative embodiments of thepresent invention are shown from elevational, cross-sectional, sideviews. FIG. 30 similarly illustrates the LED lighting assembly 3000 withthe side wall 3004 separating the first and second ends 3006, 3008 ofthe airflow chamber 3002. The assembly 3000 is shown being adaptable tobe placed outside those ceilings 202 formed for traditional recessedlighting systems.

As such, a user may modify those traditional recessed lighting systemswith a novel lighting assembly 3000 that may be mounted to be flush withthe ceiling 202 and provides efficient and effective cooling to the LEDassembly 3010. The LED assembly 3010 is shown outlined with hash-lines3012 and being placed at least partially within the airflow chamber3002.

The LED assembly 3010 has a portion 3014 attached to an electricalsource 3016. As illustrated, the LED assembly 3010 isremovably-couplable to the chamber 3002, which has an electrical leadrunning to another contact portion 3018 that is screwed into a standardlight-bulb outlet 3020. In one embodiment, the chamber 3002 is a singlepiece of material that is screwed into the light-bulb outlet 3020 untila portion of the first end 3006 couples to the ceiling 202. In otherembodiments, the chamber 3002 may translate up and down the shaft thatconnects to the outlet 3020. The chamber may also be attached on aswivel that allows it to be flush with a ceiling 202 that is at anangle. As the LED assembly 3010 may be removed from the chamber 3002, auser may advantageously change the LED assembly 3010, should it need tobe replaced without removing the entire LED lighting assembly 3000. WhenLED assembly 3010 is attached to the chamber 3002, both the airflowchamber 3002 and the LED assembly create the airflow channel 3022.

The LED assembly 3010 also is shown having one or more heat sinks 3024attached thereto. To reduce airflow leaks and facilitate the flow of airwithin the airflow channel 3022, the assembly 3000 has one or moregaskets 3026 a, 3026 b coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the gaskets3026 a, 3026 b, made from a rubber based sealing-type material, surroundand engage with the LED assembly 3010 when inserted therein, therebycreating a relatively air-tight seal. In other embodiments, the LEDassembly 3010 may have another sealing-type material, the LED assembly3010 may have the sealing material attached thereto, or the assembly3000 may not have any sealing-type material.

The LED assembly 3010 has one or more light sources 3028 located thereinthat broadcast light when in operation. The light sources may have apower supply 3030 or may also have a circuit board/controller (notshown). When in operation, the heat generated from those components, andpotentially any other components located therein, is transferred to theairflow channel 3022. The assembly 3000 also has multiple proximalopenings 3032 a-n and distal openings 3034 a-n. The heat generated fromthe components of the assembly LED assembly 3010 rises, and exitsthrough the distal openings 3034 a-n. The internal area of the airflowchannel 3022, the average height 3036 between the distal and proximalopenings 3032 a-n, 3034 a-n, and the temperature difference between theairflow channel 3022 and outside ambient environment creates an airflow(represented with arrows 3038) within the channel 3022. As previouslydiscussed, this creates a heat dissipating engine that displaces the hotair with cooler air. This airflow transports the heat away from thoseinternal components, thereby generating and maintaining a relativelycool environment, not achieved with those prior-art lighting assemblies.

FIG. 31 illustrates another embodiment of the LED lighting assembly3100. The assembly 3100 has an LED assembly 3102 with multiple lightsources 3104 within that have a portion subjected to airflow(represented with arrows 3106) within the airflow channel 3108. In oneembodiment, the airflow chamber 3114 may form one single channel 3108that subjects all of the light sources 3104 to the airflow. In otherembodiments, the airflow chamber 3114 may section into multiple chambers3114 that define a plurality of individual airflow channels 3108 thatsubject the airflow to one or more LED light sources 3104. FIG. 31 alsoshows the LED assembly 3102 with a power supply 3112 and a circuit board3110 coupled thereto and subjected to the airflow. In other embodiments,the power supply 3112 and/or circuit board 3110 may be locatedphysically outside the airflow channel 3108, but may have one or moreheat sinks coupled thereto, such that they could be said to be thermallycoupled to the airflow channel 3108. The one or more light sources 3102may be coupled to a portion 3116 of the airflow chamber 3114. Thechamber 3114 has a first opening 3122 at the lower side of the chamber3114 and the second opening 3124 is located at the upper side of thechamber 3114. In other embodiments, there may be more than one openingor the openings may be in different locations on the chamber 3114.Further, the second opening 3124 is shown expelling the air on the sideof the chamber, but in other embodiments, the second opening 3124 mayexpel the hot air into the recessed portion 204 of the ceiling 202 whereit is then transported upwardly through the building.

In contrast to FIG. 30, where the airflow chamber 3002 was a singlepiece of material and separate and independent from the LED assembly3010, the airflow chamber 3114 in FIG. 31 is integrated with the LEDassembly 3102. In one example of the present invention, the chamber 3114is adjustable along a shaft 3118 either before, or after, the assembly3100 is screwed into the light-bulb outlet 3120. The chamber 3114 istranslated upward or downward at will by a user. This can beaccomplished, for example, by ball detents, friction, by pressing anddepressing a button 3126 the releases a shaft 3128 into a plurality ofslots 3130, or any other mechanical mode for allowing two objects toselectively translate relative to one another. This feature allows theuser to selectively adjust the chamber 3114 to an appropriate heightsufficient for it to be flush against the ceiling 202.

Referring now to FIG. 32, another example of the present invention isshown. The chamber 3202 defines an airflow channel 3204 that facilitatesand directs the transfer of airflow (represented by arrows 3206) to thesecond opening 3208. The second opening 3208 expels the hot airgenerated from the components of the LED assembly 3210 into the recessed204 portion of the ceiling 202 where it is transferred into the ceilingthrough the electrical outlet 3218 or one or more portions 3220 of theupper surface of the assembly 3200. Similar to FIG. 31, the assembly3200 is adjustable vertically along the shaft 3212. In one embodiment,when the assembly 3200 is to be adjusted, the user presses the lever3214. The assembly 3200 is coupled to the shaft 3212 with rotatablehooks 3216 that prevents chamber 3202 from traveling pass the end of theshaft 3212. The shaft 3212 may also have a void located therein forelectrical wiring. In other embodiments, the assembly 3200 may beadjustable using notches, threading, or other similar means to allow theassembly 3200 to be adjusted as discussed.

Referring now to FIGS. 33-35, one embodiment of the present invention isshown. Specifically, the assembly 3300 has multiple light bulbassemblies 3302, or light sources 3302, that each have a separatechamber 3304, or heat-dissipating engine 3304, that defines an airflowchannel 3306. The assembly 3300 has a substrate 3305 that supports thelight source 3302 and has a front and back surface 3307, 3309. The frontand back surfaces 3307, 3309 define the first opening 3310, also calledan aperture 3310. The light source 3302 is supported by the substrate3305 and is adjacent to the aperture 3310. The side wall 3308 of thechamber 3304 may also define the first opening 3310. As shown, the lightsource 3302 is operable to emit light from the front surface 3307. Theheat-dissipating engine 3304 is coupled to the back surface 3309 of thesubstrate 3305. In one embodiment, the substrate is also a circuitboard. In other embodiments, the substrate 3305 is a structure attachedto the light source 3302 or another portion of the assembly 3300.

The airflow channel 3306 extends from the aperture 3310, across aportion of the light-source, and out of the second opening 3312, alsocalled an exhaust port 3312, which transmits the hot air to an outsideenvironment. In contrast to prior figures, which have shown a singlechamber 3304 or heat-dissipating engine 3304, FIG. 33 illustrates howmultiple airflow channels 3306 are defined from each heat-dissipatingengine 3304. The airflow from each channel 3306 are then accumulatedinto a separate chamber 3314 that dissipates the hot air through adistal opening 3316 in the assembly 3300. The flow of air generated fromthe assembly, when in operation, is shown by the arrows 3318. In oneembodiment, the portion of the light-source 3302, which the air flowsacross, is one or more heat sinks 3320.

FIG. 34 is an upwardly-looking perspective view of the assembly 3300when coupled to the ceiling. The light transmitting portion of thelight-source 3302, or more specifically a casing 3400 which covers thelight-source 3302, is shown protruding from the end face of the assembly3300. Also shown is the first opening 3310 which is placed in fluidcommunication with an outside environment. In one embodiment, theassembly 3300 may have the light-sources 3302 organized and configuredin a star-like shape. In other embodiments, the light-sources 3302 maybe configured in a circular fashion, or other orientation, as desired.

FIG. 35 illustrates a close up view of heat-dissipating engine 3304coupled to the substrate 3305, which is coupled to the light-source3302. In one embodiment, the light-emitting element 3500, e.g., a LEDdiode, is located on the front surface 3307 of the substrate 3305, whichmay be a circuit board. The element 3500 is encapsulated in a casing3502 to protect the integrity of, and effectively prorogate, the lightgenerated from the element 3500. The back surface 3309 of the substrate3305 is coupled to the engine 3304 and has an opening that mates with anopening in a bottom surface 3506 of the engine 3304 to at leastpartially define the aperture 3310. In other embodiments, a power supplyor other components may be at least partially within the airflow channel3306. Further, a mounting bracket may also be utilized to stabilize thelight-source 3302 that may include a portion removed to form either theaperture or the exhaust port 3310, 3312.

Coupled to the bottom surface 3506 and extending upwardly therefrom isthe heat sink 3320 with one or more members 3508 that are aligned in thegeneral direction of airflow 3318. In other embodiments, thelight-source 3302 may not have a heat sink 3320 or the heat sink 3320may take the form of a plate or other surface. In further embodiment,the heat engine 3304 may not have a bottom surface 3506 and may coupleto the back surface 3309 of the substrate 3305. When in operation, astream of air 3318 enters the first opening 3310 and passes through themembers 3508, which are thermally coupled to the element 3500, therebyremoving the heat generated from the element 3500. The heat from theelement 3500 is then transported through the exhaust port 3312 into theseparate collection chamber 3314 where it is expelled into the outsideenvironment.

Referring to FIG. 36, another exemplary lighting fixture 3600 ispresented in a perspective view. The lighting fixture 3600 includes alight-source 3600 operable to emit light. In one embodiment, thelight-source 3602 can include a light-bulb. In another embodiment, thelight-source 3602 can include an LED assembly. The light-source can beany device operable to emit light.

In one embodiment, the lighting fixture 3600 further includes atelescoping assembly 3604. As used herein, the term “telescoping” isintended to indicate a device that moves in one direction along alongitudinal axis of the device and an opposite direction along thelongitudinal axis so as to vary a longitudinal length of the device. Inone embodiment, the telescoping assembly 3604 electrically couples thelight-source 3602 to a standard light-bulb outlet for supplying power tothe light-source 3602. For example, the telescoping assembly 3604 mayhouse an electrical wire 3606 having a first end 3608 and a second end3610 opposite the first end 3608, the first end 3608 coupled to alight-bulb outlet connecting end 3612 and the second end 3610 coupled tothe light-source 3602. In one embodiment, the light-bulb outletconnecting end 3612 is configured to couple to the standard light-bulboutlet for receiving power from a power source. In another embodiment,the light-bulb outlet connecting end 3612 is threaded so as to allowcoupling of the end 3612 to the light-bulb outlet through a screwattachment system. In further embodiments, the light-bulb connecting end3612 may be formed as other types of male or female attachment membersto matingly engage a corresponding male or female attachment memberassociated with the light-bulb outlet disposed within a light bulbrecess. In another embodiment, the telescoping assembly 3604 includes alower end 3628, opposite the light-bulb outlet connecting end 3612,which can be considered an upper end of the telescoping assembly 3604.In a further embodiment, the lower end 3628 is coupled to a sidewall3630 of the light assembly 3600, the sidewall 3630 defining a housingfor the light-source 3602.

In a preferred embodiment, the telescoping assembly 3604 is a non-circletelescoping assembly 3604. As used herein, the term “non-circle” isintended to indicate any telescoping device in which the telescopingmembers having a cross section that is not in the shape of a circle, acircle being a plane curve everywhere equidistant from a given fixedpoint, the center. In one embodiment, the non-circle telescopingassembly 3604 includes a cross section shaped as an oval. In otherembodiments, the non-circle telescoping assembly 3604 includes a crosssection shaped as a rectangle, square, trapezoid, or other polygon.Advantageously, the non-circle shape of some of the embodiments of thetelescoping assembly 3604 prevents rotation of the telescoping assembly3604 portions, respective to one another, while screwing the lightingfixture 3600 into the light-bulb outlet because rotation of thetelescoping portions while screwing could, in some cases, inhibit theuser's ability to tightly screw the telescoping assembly 3604 into thelight-bulb outlet.

In one embodiment, the telescoping assembly 3604 includes an innertelescoping member 3614 and an outer telescoping member 3616. In oneembodiment, the inner telescoping member 3614 includes a rectangularcross section and the outer telescoping member 3616 includes arectangular cross section. In other embodiments, the inner and outertelescoping members 3614 and 3616 include cross sections shaped as othernon-circle shapes. In a preferred embodiment, the inner and outertelescoping members 3614 and 3616 include cross sections have the sameshape. Stated another way, if the inner telescoping member 3614 includesan oval cross section, the outer telescoping member 3616 includes anoval cross section, as the inner telescoping member 3614 is configuredto be translatably received into an aperture defined by the outertelescoping member 3616. In another embodiment, a diameter 3618 of theinner telescoping member 3614 is less than a diameter 3620 of the outertelescoping member 3616. In yet another embodiment, the outertelescoping member 3616 defines a chamber 3622 that is dimensioned toreceive at least a portion of the inner telescoping member 3614 thereinfor selectively varying a distance 3625 between the light-source 3602and the light-bulb connecting end 3612 of the telescoping assembly 3604.Advantageously, the telescoping assembly 3604 allows users toselectively vary the distance 3625 of the light-source 3602 relative tothe light-bulb outlet.

The telescoping assembly members 3614 and 3616 may be selectivelysecured to one another in various ways in a multitude of differentembodiments. In one embodiment, the inner telescoping member 3614includes a plurality of apertures 3624. In another embodiment, theplurality of apertures 3624 are spaced apart from one another andaligned along a longitudinal direction of the telescoping assembly 3604.In yet another embodiment, the plurality of apertures 3624 are spacedapart an equal distance from one another. In a further embodiment, theplurality of apertures 3624 are shaped and sized to receive a lockingmember 3626 therethrough, the locking member 3626 being operablyconfigured to secure the outer telescoping member 3616 relative to theinner telescoping member 3614 in a user-selected position along thelongitudinal direction of the telescoping assembly 3604. In oneembodiment, the locking member 3626 is formed as a protrusion extendingtowards a central axis of the chamber 3622 for lockingly engaging auser-selected one of the plurality of apertures 3624. In an alternativeembodiment, the plurality of apertures 3624 may be defined by the outertelescoping member 3616, rather than the inner telescoping member 3614.In one embodiment, the locking member 3626 is formed as a bias memberconfigured to exert a resilient force so as to allow users toselectively secure the inner and outer telescoping members 3614 and 3616relative to one another for selectively varying the distance 3625between the light-source 3602 and the light-bulb outlet connecting end3612 of the telescoping assembly 3604. In a further embodiment, the biasmember can be considered a spring biased member.

Referring to FIG. 37, yet another exemplary lighting fixture 3700 ispresented in a perspective view. The lighting fixture 3700 includes anoval-shaped telescoping assembly 3702 having an outer oval-shapedtelescoping member 3704 and a mating inner oval-shaped telescopingmember 3706. The outer and inner oval-shaped telescoping members 3704and 3706 are similar to the outer and inner telescoping members 3614 and3616, except that latter are rectangular-shaped rather than oval-shaped.In one embodiment, the lighting fixture 3700 includes a locking member3708 having a pair of spring-loaded ball detents 3710 that selectivelysecures the outer and inner oval-shaped telescoping members 3704 and3706 to one another for varying the length of the oval-shapedtelescoping assembly 3702. In one embodiment, the outer oval-shapedtelescoping member 3704 includes an aperture 3712 for receiving thelocking member 3708 therethrough.

Referring to FIG. 38, a further exemplary lighting fixture 3800 ispresented in a front elevational view. The lighting fixture 3800includes a telescoping assembly 3802 having an outer telescoping member3804 and an inner telescoping member 3806. In one embodiment, the outertelescoping member 3804 and the inner telescoping member 3806 eachinclude a plurality of mating coupling members 3808. In anotherembodiment, each of the plurality of mating coupling members 3808 areformed as resilient teeth-like members. In a further embodiment, theresilient teeth-like members are ratchet-type members and are biased sothat an upward force 3810 applied to the outer telescoping member 3804allows the outer telescoping member 3804 to move in an upward directionrelative to the stationary, inner telescoping member 3806. As a resultof the user releasing the lighting fixture 3800 so that the upward force3810 is no longer applied to the outer telescoping member 3804, theresilient teeth-like members of the outer telescoping member 3804 andthe inner telescoping member 3806 matingly engage one another to as tosecure the telescoping assembly 3802 at the selected length.Advantageously, this embodiment allows the user to selectively adjustthe length of the telescoping assembly 3802 without requiring the userto reach into the cavity defined by the recessed can in the ceiling inorder to, for example, insert a pin into a hole in order to secure theselected length.

Referring to FIG. 39, a lighting fixture extension adapter 3900 and alighting fixture 3902 is presented in a bottom perspective view, in anunassembled configuration. The lighting fixture extension adapter 3900includes a telescoping assembly 3904 having a first end 3906 and asecond end 3908, opposite the first end 3906. In one embodiment, thefirst end 3906 includes a male attachment member 3910 disposed thereon.In another embodiment, the male attachment member 3910 is operablyconfigured to matingly engage a standard light-bulb socket. In a furtherembodiment, the male attachment member 3910 includes male threads 3912that are configured to be inserted into a standard light-bulb socket,the standard light-bulb socket having mating female threads. In oneembodiment, the second end 3908 includes a female attachment member 3909disposed thereon. In another embodiment, the female attachment member3909 is operably configured to matingly engage a second male attachmentmember 3914 disposed on the lighting fixture 3902. In yet a furtherembodiment, the second male attachment member 3914 also includes malethreads 3916 that are configured to matingly engage a standardlight-bulb socket. In yet another embodiment, the second male attachmentmember 3914 is substantially identical to the male attachment member3910. In one embodiment, the female attachment member 3909 includesfemale threads 3918 that are configured to receive and mating engage themale threads 3916 of the lighting fixture 3902. In one embodiment, thefemale threads 3918 of the lighting fixture extension adapter 3900 aresubstantially similar to female threads within a standard sizedlight-bulb socket. In a further embodiment, the female threads 3918 aresubstantially contiguous in a spiral configuration. In yet a furtherembodiment, the male threads 3912, 3916 are substantially contiguous ina spiral configuration. In another embodiment, the female threads 3918and the male threads 3912, 3916 are coaxial with one another. In anotherembodiment, the male and female threads 3912, 3916, 3918, respectivelyare secured to one another through a screwing action. In a furtherembodiment, the second male attachment member 3914 and the femaleattachment member 3909 are configured to be electrically coupled to oneanother when matingly engaged to one another. In yet a furtherembodiment, the telescoping assembly 3904 is operably configured toelectrically couple the lighting fixture 3902 to the standard light-bulbsocket along a selectively adjustable distance therebetween. In yet afurther embodiment, the standard light-bulb socket is selectivelycouplable to the first end 3906 of the telescoping assembly and thelighting fixture 3902 is selectively couplable to the second end 3908.In one embodiment, when the lighting fixture extension adapter 3900 andthe lighting fixture 3902 are in an assembled, screwed togetherconfiguration, the resulting system resembles the lighting fixture 3800in FIG. 38.

Referring to FIGS. 40-41, another exemplary embodiment of a lightingfixture extension adapter 4000 is presented in a perspective view,illustrating an unassembled configuration in FIG. 40 and an assembledconfiguration in FIG. 41. In one embodiment, the lighting fixtureextension adapter 4000 includes a plurality of telescoping members 4002.In another embodiment, the plurality of telescoping members 4002includes at least a light-bulb socket engaging telescoping member 4004,an intermediate telescoping member 4006, and an outer telescoping member4008. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of telescoping members4002 includes one or more additional outer telescoping members (notshown) having a larger diameter than a diameter of the outer telescopingmember 4008. It is understood that each addition telescoping member canextend a total length 4100 of the lighting fixture extension adapter4000 in its fully extended configuration. In another embodiment, each ofthe plurality of telescoping members 4002 is a circular telescopingmember, i.e. having a circular cross-section, as opposed to a non-circlecross-section. Stated another way, each of the plurality of telescopingmembers 4002 may have a tubular or cylindrical shaped body. In anotherembodiment, each of the plurality of telescoping members 4002 may benon-circle telescoping members.

In one embodiment, the light-bulb socket engaging telescoping member4004 includes a male attachment member 4010 disposed on one end of thelight-bulb socket engaging telescoping member 4004. In anotherembodiment, the male attachment member 4010 is operably configured tomatingly engage a standard light-bulb socket. In a further embodiment,the male attachment member 4010 includes male threads 4012 that areconfigured to be inserted (e.g., screwed) into a standard light-bulbsocket, the standard light-bulb socket having mating female threads (notshown). In a further embodiment, the light-bulb socket engagingtelescoping member 4004 includes a first projecting portion 4014. In oneembodiment, the first projecting portion 4014 is shaped as a pinextending outwardly from an exterior surface of an exterior sidewall ofthe light-bulb socket engaging telescoping member 4004.

In one embodiment, the intermediate telescoping member 4006 defines afirst aperture 4016. In another embodiment, the first aperture 4016 isformed as an L-shaped aperture. In another embodiment, the firstaperture 4016 is formed in other shapes and configurations. In yetanother embodiment, the first aperture 4016 includes a verticalelongated portion 4018 and a horizontal portion 4020, together formingthe L-shape of the first aperture 4016. In some embodiments, the firstaperture 4016 can be considered a through-hole extending from anexterior surface of the intermediate telescoping member 4006 to anopposing, interior surface of the intermediate telescoping member 4006.In a further embodiment, the intermediate telescoping member 4006defines a second projecting portion 4022. In another embodiment, thesecond projecting portion 4022 is shaped as a pin extending outwardlyfrom the exterior surface of the intermediate telescoping member 4006.In one embodiment, a diameter 4024 of the intermediate telescopingmember 4006 is smaller than a diameter 4026 of the light-bulb socketengaging telescoping member 4004.

In one embodiment, the outer telescoping member 4008 includes a diameter4028 larger than the diameter 4024 of the intermediate telescopingmember 4006 and larger than the diameter 4026 of the light-bulb socketengaging telescoping member 4004. In another embodiment, the diameter4028 is slightly larger than the diameter 4024 so as to be slideablyengaged to one another and the diameter 4024 is slightly larger than thediameter 4026 so as to be slideably engaged to one another. In anotherembodiment, the outer telescoping member 4008 defines a second aperture4030. In another embodiment, the second aperture 4030 is formed as anL-shaped aperture. In another embodiment, the second aperture 4030 isformed as other shapes and configurations. In yet another embodiment,the second aperture 4030 includes a vertical elongated portion 4032 anda horizontal portion 4034, together forming the L-shape of the secondaperture 2030. In some embodiments, the second aperture 4030 can beconsidered a through-hole extending from an exterior surface of theouter telescoping member 4008 to an opposing, interior surface of theouter telescoping member 4008.

In a further embodiment, the outer telescoping member 4008 includes afemale attachment member 4036 disposed on an end thereof. In anotherembodiment, the female attachment member 4036 is operably configured tomatingly engage a second male attachment member (not shown) disposed ona lighting fixture (not shown), similar to the configuration shown anddescribed with reference to FIG. 39. In one embodiment, the femaleattachment member 4036 includes female threads 4038 that are configuredto receive and matingly engage male threads of the lighting fixture (notshown). In one embodiment, the female threads 4038 of the lightingfixture extension adapter 4000 are substantially similar to femalethreads within a standard sized light-bulb socket. In a furtherembodiment, the female threads 4038 are substantially contiguous in aspiral configuration.

In the assembled configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 41, thelight-bulb socket engaging telescoping member 4004 is sized and shapedso as to be selectively, slideably inserted within an opening of theintermediate telescoping member 4006. Accordingly, the intermediatetelescoping member 4006 can be considered an outer telescoping memberrelative to the light-bulb socket engaging telescoping member 4004. In afurther embodiment, the intermediate telescoping member 4006 is sizedand shaped so as to be selectively, slideably inserted within an openingof the outer telescoping member 4008. Stated another way, thetelescoping members 4004, 4006, and 4008 are telescopically translatablerelative to one another.

In one embodiment, the telescoping members 4004, 4006, and 4008 areoperably configured to prevent rotation relative to one another. Inanother embodiment, the first projecting portion 4014 is inserted withinthe first aperture 4016 and the second projecting portion 4022 isinserted within the second aperture 4030. More particularly, insertionof the first projecting portion 4014 within an absolute end of thehorizontal portion 4020 of the first aperture 4016 and insertion of thesecond projecting portion 4022 within an absolute end of the horizontalportion 4034 of the second aperture 4030, as depicted in FIG. 41,prevents rotation of the intermediate telescoping member 4006 and theouter telescoping member 4008 in a first direction 4102 relative to oneanother. The first direction 4102 may be a clockwise direction. Incontrast, rotation of the intermediate telescoping member 4006 and theouter telescoping member 4008 in a second direction 4104 (opposite thefirst direction 4102) is permitted. The second direction 4104 may be acounter-clockwise direction.

In one embodiment, the lighting fixture extension adapter 4000 includesa spring 4106. As used herein, the term “spring” is defined as anelastic device that regains its original shape after being compressed orextended. In another embodiment, the spring 4106 is disposed within aninterior area of the telescoping members 4004, 4006, and 4008. Inanother embodiment, the spring 4106 is an elastic wire coil extendingfrom the light-bulb socket engaging telescoping member 4004 to the outertelescoping member 4008. In yet another embodiment, the spring 4106 maybe formed as other types of elastic devices. In a further embodiment,the spring 4106 is operably configured to translate at least one of theplurality of telescoping members 4002 relative to another one of theplurality of telescoping members 4002 in a compression direction 4108and an extension direction 4110, opposite the compression direction4108. In yet a further embodiment, the spring 4106 is operablyconfigured to bias the outer telescoping member 4008 and theintermediate telescoping member 4006 in the compression direction 4108toward the light-bulb socket engaging telescoping member 4004. AlthoughFIGS. 40 and 41 illustrate a spring-biased lighting fixture extensionadapter, it is understood that, in some embodiments, the presentinvention can be implemented as a lighting assembly with thespring-biased telescoping feature integrated with a lighting fixture asa unitary body, as opposed to the lighting fixture being selectivelycouplable to the lighting fixture extension adapter 4000, as describedwith reference to FIGS. 40 and 41.

Referring now to FIGS. 42-43, in use, a user may begin installing alighting fixture 4200 into a ceiling can 4204 by screwing the lightingfixture 4200 into the female attachment member 4036 (see FIG. 40) of thelighting fixture extension adapter 4000. In an embodiment where thelighting fixture 4200 is integral with the lighting fixture extensionadapter 4000, this step is not necessary. The user may then configurethe lighting fixture extension adapter 4000 in a fully, verticallyextended configuration. More particularly, the user may configure thelighting fixture extension adapter 4000 such that the first projectingportion 4014 is inserted within the horizontal portion 4020 of the firstaperture 4016 and the second projecting portion 4022 is inserted withinthe horizontal portion 4034 of the second aperture 4030. Thisconfiguration holds the lighting fixture extension adapter 4000 in afully, vertically extended configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 42,overcoming the spring's 4106 (see FIG. 41) bias in the compressiondirection 4108. In this fully extended configuration, the user may screwin the male attachment member 4010 into a light-bulb socket 4202 in theceiling can 4204. As the user screws in the male attachment member 4010,the intermediate and outer telescoping members 4006 and 4008 are movedin the second, counter-clockwise direction 4104. As the user continuesto screw, the first and second projecting portions 4014 and 4022 aremoved to the respective vertical elongated portions 4018 and 4032. As aresult, when the user releases the lighting fixture 4200, the biasingforce of the spring 4106 (see FIG. 41) in the compression direction 4108causes the lighting fixture extension adapter 4000 to compress. Theprojecting portions 4014 and 4022 are allowed to move in a downwarddirection within the respective vertical elongated portions 4018 and4032, which permits the intermediate and outer telescoping members 4006and 4008 to translate telescopically in the upward, compressiondirection 4108. The lighting fixture 4200 preferably includes a sidewall4206 that is dimensioned to exceed a maximum opening dimension 4208 ofthe ceiling can 4204. As can be seen in FIG. 43, the compression forceof the spring 4106 (see FIG. 41) causes the lighting fixture extensionadapter 4000 to compress until the lighting fixture 4200 is flush with aceiling 4300.

Although FIGS. 36-43 show the telescoping assembly in pin-and-holeembodiments, and a ratchet-type embodiment, it is understood that thetelescoping assembly can be implemented in any manner that allows usersto selectively adjust a longitudinal length of the telescoping assembly.In a preferred embodiment, said adjustment of the longitudinal lengthcan be accomplished without the need to reach into the cavity defined bythe recessed can in the ceiling, as with the ratchet-type embodimentdescribed with reference to FIG. 38 and the spring-loaded embodimentdescribed with reference to FIGS. 40-43. Other non-limiting examples ofadjusting the longitudinal length of the telescoping assembly mayinclude a zip tie, hooks, notches, levers, a frictional snug fit, andthe like.

A novel and efficient lighting assembly has been disclosed that providesan array of LED light sources that are coupled to a light-emitting lensthrough a plurality of light guides, where the light-emitting lensblends the light from each of the individual light guides and transmitsa blended light product. Furthermore, the novel lighting assemblyprovides a light-generation source that is disposed in a central or rearsection of the overall lighting assembly and guided to a light-emittinglens through one or more light guides. In addition, the lightingassembly providing a novel telescoping assembly that allows users toselectively vary a distance between the lighting source and thelight-bulb outlet.

What is claimed is:
 1. A self-cooled lighting assembly comprising: anairflow chamber: having a first end and a second end opposite the firstend; having a side wall separating the first and second ends, the sidewall: having a dimension exceeding a maximum opening dimension of astandard-sized light bulb ceiling recess, the maximum opening dimensionlimiting a dimension of objects insertable within the standard-sizedlight bulb ceiling recess; at least partially defining a first openingin fluid communication with an outside environment; at least partiallydefining a second opening, the second opening being downstream to thefirst opening and in fluid communication with the outside environment;and including an inner surface at least partially defining an airflowchannel; and a light-bulb assembly coupled to the airflow chamber, thelight-bulb assembly including at least one light emitting sourcethermally coupled and at least partially placed within the airflowchannel, the at least one light emitting source having an electricalcontact portion disposed for attachment to an electrical source.
 2. Theself-cooled lighting assembly in accordance with claim 1, furthercomprising: a light-source power receiving portion dimensioned to fitwithin the standard-sized light bulb ceiling recess and couplable to astandard light-bulb outlet disposed therein; and wherein the side wallis disposed to be in contact with a ceiling when the light-source powerreceiving portion is coupled to the standard light-bulb outlet such thatthe first and second openings at least partially defined by the sidewall are disposed beneath the ceiling so as to allow air to exit theairflow chamber beneath the ceiling.
 3. The self-cooled lightingassembly in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: aheat-dissipating engine at least partially defined by the airflowchannel and driving a substantially continuous flow of air from theoutside environment through the first opening at least partially definedby the sidewall, subsequently across the at least one light emittingsource, and out of the second opening at least partially defined by thesidewall to the outside environment.
 4. The self-cooled lightingassembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein: the at least one lightemitting source is disposed within a cavity at least partially definedby the first end, the second end, and the sidewall separating the firstand second ends.
 5. A flush mounted self-cooled ceiling lightingassembly comprising: a light assembly dimensioned and shaped not tocompletely fit within a standard-sized light bulb recess in a ceiling,the standard-sized light bulb recess being of a size and shape toreceive substantially all of a standard-sized light bulb therein, thelight assembly having a light-emitting face and an electrical contactportion; an airflow chamber shaped to be in contact with a ceiling andhaving a side wall: with an upper end dimension that exceeds the largestdimension of the standard sized light bulb recess in the ceiling;defining at least one proximal opening; and defining at least one distalopening in fluid communication with the proximal opening, wherein heatcreated by the light assembly drives a substantially continuous flow ofair from the proximal opening, across a portion of the light assembly,and out of the at least one distal opening without the use of a fan, theat least one distal opening adapted to be disposed beneath the ceilingwhen the side wall is in contact with the ceiling and the light assemblyis coupled to a light-bulb outlet disposed within the standard-sizedlight bulb recess.
 6. The flush mounted self-cooled ceiling lightingassembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the airflow chamber furthercomprises: a lower end that defines an aperture for passing lightemitted from the light source.
 7. The flush mounted self-cooled ceilinglighting assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein the airflowchamber further comprises: a light-bulb electrical receptacle shaped toreceive the electrical contact portion of the light assembly; and acontact portion electrically couplable with a standard light-bulboutlet.
 8. The flush mounted self-cooled ceiling lighting assembly inaccordance with claim 7, further comprising: a shaft separating thelight-bulb electrical receptacle from the contact portion.
 9. The flushmounted self-cooled ceiling lighting assembly in accordance with claim5, wherein: the at least one distal opening is aligned to emit thesubstantially continuous flow of air from the proximal opening away fromthe recess in the ceiling.
 10. The flush mounted self-cooled ceilinglighting assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein: the exhaust portin the sidewall is located outside of the light bulb recess and directsair away from the light bulb recess.
 11. A self-cooled lighting assemblycomprising: a ceiling with a standard-sized light bulb recess therein,the light bulb recess having a standard light-bulb outlet therein and amaximum opening dimension limiting the dimension of objects insertablewithin the light bulb recess; and a light fixture including: alight-source power receiving portion dimensioned to fit within a lightbulb recess and couplable to a standard light-bulb outlet; and asidewall having a dimension exceeding the maximum opening dimension ofthe light bulb recess and defining at least one aperture; and aheat-dissipating engine defining an air-flow channel from the at leastone aperture, across a portion of the light-source, and out of anexhaust port in the sidewall higher in altitude than the at least oneaperture, the heat-dissipating engine driving a substantially continuousflow of air from the at least one aperture, across a portion of thelight-source, and out of the exhaust port without the use of a fan, theexhaust port adapted to be disposed beneath the ceiling when thesidewall is in contact with the ceiling and the light-source powerreceiving portion is coupled to the standard light-bulb.
 12. Theself-cooled lighting assembly in accordance with claim 11, wherein thelight fixture further includes: a light-source-supporting substratewithin the sidewall and having a front surface and a back surface anddefining an aperture between the front surface and the back surface; alight-source supported by the substrate, adjacent the aperture, andoperable to emit light from the front surface of the substrate; and theheat-dissipating engine is coupled to the back surface of the substrateand in fluid communication with the aperture.